Helmholtz double layer free energy

In this chapter, mathematical procedures for the estimation of the electrical interactions between particles covered by an ion-penetrable membrane immersed in a general electrolyte solution is introduced. The treatment is similar to that for rigid particles, except that fixed charges are distributed over a finite volume in space, rather than over a rigid surface. This introduces some complexities. Several approximate methods for the resolution of the Poisson-Boltzmann equation are discussed. The basic thermodynamic properties of an electrical double layer, including Helmholtz free energy, amount of ion adsorption, and entropy are then estimated on the basis of the results obtained, followed by the evaluation of the critical coagulation concentration of counterions and the stability ratio of the system under consideration. 

The Helmholtz free energy, Fe, comprised the free energy due to the presence of electrical double layer, Fe d, and that due to the presence of membrane, Feis, that is,... 

Feid Helmholtz free energy of double layer... 

In order to determine a system thermodynamically, one has to specify some independent parameters (e.g. N, T, P or V) besides the composition of the system. The most common choice in MC simulation is to specify N, V and T resulting in the canonical ensemble, where the Helmholtz free energy A is the natural thermodynamical potential. However, MC calculations can be performed in any ensemble, where the suitable choice depends on the application. It is straightforward to apply the Metropolis MC algorithm to a simple electric double layer in the iVFT ensemble. It is however, not so efficient for polymers composed of more than a few tens of monomers. For long polymers other algorithms should be considered and the Pivot algorithm [21] offers an efficient alternative. MC simulations provide thermodynamic and structural information, but time-dependent properties are not accessible. If kinetic or time-dependent properties are of interest one has to use molecular dynamic or brownian dynamic simulations. 

For one-electron transfer reactions occurring via outer-sphere mechanisms, wp and ws can be estimated on the basis of electrostatic double-layer models. Thus, if the reaction site lies at the outer Helmholtz plane (o.H.p.), wp = ZFd and ws = (Z - 1 )Fcharge number of the oxidized species and (j>d is the potential across the diffuse layer. Rewriting eqn. (7) in terms of rate constants rather than free energies yields the familiar Frumkin equation [8]... 

If the monolayer and its associated double layer occupy a separate phase which lies between two homogeneous bulk phases, then for constant temperature, volume, and total number densities of species in this phase, the total differential Helmholtz free energy for a planar interfacial region is given by (20) ... 

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