Dynamic effects at the interface between two immiscible electrolyte solutions (ITIES)

Abstract

A new apparatus is described in which the effects on interfacial charge transfer of reconstruction of an adsorbed lipid layer can be studied. It involves rapid contraction or expansion of the interface, with control of the interfacial potential difference and measurement of current and interfacial tension. First results on the effects of lecithin on ion transport across a 2-nitrophenyl octyl ether/water interface are given. Reconstruction of the adsorbed layer, dependent on the interfacial potential difference and surface coverage, is inferred. Since the effects on transport of the probe ion tetraethylammonium were small, a model in which the surface reconstruction was in the form of islands of an ordered monolayer within a disordered one is proposed.