Structure and diffusion of ions in layers of dielectric interfaces

Abstract

Abstract The structure and self-diffusion properties of confined ions in layered dielectric media were studied with liquid theory and stochastic Langevin equation approaches. The confinement has an enormous impact on the thermodynamic properties of charged molecules and ions in an aqueous solution. The analysis of results demonstrated that reducing the dielectric constant drives the condensation of ions onto the confining surfaces. This effect is accompanied by a concomitant restraining of the diffusion of those mobile ions closer to the boundary surfaces of the pore. We show how these results are linked to understanding the ion equilibrium properties at charged surfaces.