Applications of non-uniform electric fields. Part 1.—Electrophoretic evaluation of adsorption

Abstract

An electric field of uniform intensity can only induce movement of net electric charge. Fields having non-uniform spatial distribution, on the other hand, will also interact with oriented symmetric distributions of opposing charges, such as dipole layers. The present paper is concerned with the possibility of determining potential differences between two phases with the aid of a non-uniform electric field. A general solution is first given for the force exerted on a charge distribution containing free charge, as well as a dipole layer, in a non-uniform electric field. Application to the determination of the contribution of adsorbed ions to the Volta potential ψ₀ is then indicated, and a numerical solution for a sphere of any given conductance is given in the appendix.