Anomalous long-range repulsion between silica surfaces induced by density inhomogeneities in supercritical ethanol

Abstract

Anomalous long-range repulsion, extending over several micrometres, emerged between silica surfaces around the ridge of density fluctuations in supercritical ethanol at temperatures and pressures near the gas/liquid critical point (T_c = 241 °C, P_c = 6.14 MPa). Analysis shows that augmentation of ethanol density around silica surfaces in the presence of density fluctuations facilitates dissociation of silanol groups, leading to long-range electrostatic repulsion in the nonpolar medium.