Adhesion of mercury and glass in aqueous solutions

Abstract

Attachment of a mercury droplet to a glass foil in aqueous KF solutions was investigated in the range of 10 −3 to 10 −1 M concentration at various polarization potentials of mercury. The relation between critical potentials of attachment and solution concentrations below 1.5 × 10 −1 M was explained quantitatively by the theory of heterocoagulation of dissimilar particles. Deviations from the theory were found in the concentrations higher than 1.5 × 10 −1 M. Critical potentials of detachment were also determined as a function of the concentration. A possible explanation was given for the weakened attachment at high salt concentration by considering the additional repulsion detected when the glass and mercury were close by. Some discussions were also given as the Hamaker constant for dissimilar substances immersed in a liquid medium.