Ion redistribution in an electric double layer.

The structure of a single flat electric double layer (EDL) is studied by grounding a symmetric electrolyte (NaCl), which is in contact with a planar positively corona-treated polypropylene film. Because the profiles of the electrostatic potential distribution and ion distribution in the solution are altered when the solution is grounded, some mobile counterions in the diffuse layer of the electrolyte solution will go into the Helmholtz layer and thus decrease the electric potential psi(a/2) at the Stern plane in order to obtain a new equilibrium. After the system is grounded for a long time, the representation of the electric double layer changes from a Stern model to a Helmholtz model. Theoretical and experimental analyses are given in this study.