Collect. Czech. Chem. Commun. 2009, 74, 1665-1674
https://doi.org/10.1135/cccc2009514
Published online 2010-02-02 10:54:13

The diffuse double layer in ionic liquids

W. Ronald Fawcett* and Peter J. Ryan

Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA

Abstract

The equations used to describe the diffuse double layer in the Eigen–Wicke model of ionic liquids are presented. They are then used to estimate the potential drop across the diffuse layer and its differential capacity for two representative systems which contain monovalent ions of equal diameter. The first one is molten RbCl at 750 °C. The second system is a room temperature ionic liquid with typical parameters to describe its properties. The results of the calculations are compared with the available experimental data. It is concluded that the Eigen–Wicke model does not consider the change in local potential experienced by a given ion in the ionic liquid. The need for Monte Carlo data for the diffuse double layer in molten salt systems is emphasized.

Keywords: Electrochemistry; Monte Carlo method; Diffuse double layer; Molten salts.

References: 20 live references.