Effect of ion solvation on the diffuse layer structure in mixed electrolytes

Abstract

A “solvionic” model of a multicomponent electrochemical system (mixed electrolyte) is considered. An ion in the solution is considered as a point charge rigidly fixed inside its solvation shell. The corresponding equations for the diffuse layer on an ideally polarizable electrode are derived, and an effective method of their numerical solution is formulated. The calculations are performed in order to follow the changes in the diffuse layer structure with variations in the electrode charge and electrolyte composition. Far from the zerocharge potential of solution, the dependences of distributions of solution components over the diffuse layer on the electrode charge radically differ from those within the classic Gouy-Chapman theory. Analytical equations (asymptotics at large electrode charges) for concentrations of solvated ions in the plane of their maximum approach and for their “surface excesses” (diffuse adsorption) are determined. Results of numerical calculations for a 0.2 M LiCl + 0.05 M BaCl2 solution are plotted.