Chai B, Mahtani A G, Pollack G H
Department of Bioengineering, Box 355061, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195.
Contemp Mater. 2012;3(1):1-12. doi: 10.7251/COM1201001C.
Solute-free zones, termed "exclusion zones" are routinely seen next to hydrophilic surfaces in aqueous solution. Here we report similar zones next to various metals. The largest, approximately 200 µm in width, was found adjacent to zinc. Other reactive metals, including aluminum, tin, lead, and tungsten exhibited distinct but smaller exclusion zones, while precious metals such as platinum and gold did not produce any. Electrical potential measurements showed positive potentials within the exclusion zones, while pH measurements revealed an abundance of OH groups in the aqueous regions beyond the exclusion zones. A correspondence was found between exclusion-zone size and the respective metal's position within the galvanic series. The presence of these interfacial exclusion zones is unexpected, and may shed new light on electrochemical processes taking place at metal interfaces.
在水溶液中,靠近亲水性表面通常会出现被称为“排斥区”的无溶质区域。在此,我们报告了在各种金属旁边也存在类似的区域。发现与锌相邻的排斥区最大,宽度约为200微米。其他活性金属,包括铝、锡、铅和钨,表现出明显但较小的排斥区,而铂和金等贵金属则没有产生任何排斥区。电位测量显示排斥区内为正电位,而pH测量表明在排斥区之外的水相区域中存在大量的OH基团。发现排斥区大小与相应金属在电动序中的位置之间存在对应关系。这些界面排斥区的存在出乎意料,可能会为金属界面发生的电化学过程带来新的启示。