Solid/solution interfaces

The possible constitution of the interface solid-solution of LNBr is represented by Figure 6, where a solid slide is shown emerging from a LNBr solution at a concentration lower than c s (Figure 2). On the immersed portion the negative charges of the solid may be neutralized partially by fixed cations (LN+ or H ) and partially by the ions of the Gouy layer. 

The adsorption of nonelectrolytes at the solid-solution interface may be viewed in terms of two somewhat different physical pictures. In the first, the adsorption is confined to a monolayer next to the surface, with the implication that succeeding layers are virtually normal bulk solution. The picture is similar to that for the chemisorption of gases (see Chapter XVIII) and arises under the assumption that solute-solid interactions decay very rapidly with distance. Unlike the chemisorption of gases, however, the heat of adsorption from solution is usually small it is more comparable with heats of solution than with chemical bond energies. 

There is a number of very pleasing and instructive relationships between adsorption from a binary solution at the solid-solution interface and that at the solution-vapor and the solid-vapor interfaces. The subject is sufficiently specialized, however, that the reader is referred to the general references and, in particular, to Ref. 153. Finally, some studies on the effect of high pressure (up to several thousand atmospheres) on binary adsorption isotherms have been reported [154]. Quite appreciable effects were found, indicating that significant partial molal volume changes may occur on adsorption. 

There is a large volume of contemporary literature dealing with the structure and chemical properties of species adsorbed at the solid-solution interface, making use of various spectroscopic and laser excitation techniques. Much of it is phenomenologically oriented and does not contribute in any clear way to the surface chemistry of the system included are many studies aimed at the eventual achievement of solar energy conversion. What follows here is a summary of a small fraction of this literature, consisting of references which are representative and which also yield some specific information about the adsorbed state. 

The adsorption of detergent-type molecules on fabrics and at the solid-solution interface in general shows a complexity that might be mentioned briefly. Some fairly characteristic data are shown in Fig. XlIl-15 [242]. There is a break at point A, marking a sudden increase in slope, followed by a maximum in the amount adsorbed. The problem is that if such data represent true equilibrium in a two-component system, it is possible to argue a second law violation (note Problem Xni-14) (although see Ref. 243). 

Contact angle is proportional to (ysv - 7sl), therefore addition of a surfactant that adsorbs at the solid-solution interface should decrease ysL d therefore increase the quantity above and make 6 smaller. Yet such addition in flotation systems increases 6. Discuss what is inconect or misleading about the opening statement. 

Schematic model of the solid-solution interface at a particle of AgCI in a solution containing excess AgNOa.

A number of metals have the ability to absorb hydrogen, which may be taken into solid solution or form a metallic hydride, and this absorption can provide an alternative reaction path to the desorption of H,. as gas. In the case of iron and iron alloys, both hydrogen adsorption and absorption occur simultaneously, and the latter thus gives rise to another equilibrium involving the transfer of H,<,s across the interface to form interstitial H atoms just beneath the surface ... 

This type of mechanism has been considered by Barnard et al. [83]. They postulate the initiation of the charging reaction at the Ni(OH)2 /current collector interface with the formation of a solid solution of Nij ions in Ni(OH)2. With further charging when a fixed nickel ion composition (Ni2+)v (Ni, +)1 A. is reached, phase separation occurs with the formation of two phases, one with the composition (Ni2+), r (Ni3+)v in contact with the cur-... 

If the phases present can be unambiguously identified, microscopy can be used to determine the geometry of interface initiation and advance, and to provide information about particle sizes of components of mixed reactants in a powder. Problems of interpretation arise where materials are poorly crystallized and where crystallites are small, opaque, porous or form solid solutions. With the hot-stage microscope, the progress of reactions can be followed in some instances and the occurrence of sintering and/or melting detected. 

Reactions of the general type A + B -> AB may proceed by a nucleation and diffusion-controlled growth process. Welch [111] discusses one possible mechanism whereby A is accepted as solid solution into crystalline B and reacts to precipitate AB product preferentially in the vicinity of the interface with A, since the concentration is expected to be greatest here. There may be an initial induction period during solid solution formation prior to the onset of product phase precipitation. Nuclei of AB are subsequently produced at surfaces of particles of B and growth may occur with or without maintained nucleation. 

Two product barrier layers are formed and the continuation of reaction requires that A is transported across CB and C across AD, assuming that the (usually smaller) cations are the mobile species. The interface reactions involved and the mechanisms of ion migration are similar to those already described for other systems. (It is also possible that solid solutions will be formed.) As Welch [111] has pointed out, reaction between solids, however complex they may be, can (usually) be resolved into a series of interactions between two phases. In complicated processes an increased number of phases, interfaces, and migrant entities must be characterized and this requires an appropriate increase in the number of variables measured, with all the attendant difficulties and limitations. However, the careful selection of components of the reactant mixture (e.g. the use of a common ion) or the imaginative design of reactant disposition can sometimes result in a significant simplification of the problems of interpretation, as is seen in some of the examples cited below. 

The recent experimental developments on dark and photoinduced ET reactions give support to the previous speculations on the relevance of these interfaces in such fields as catalysis and solar energy conversion. These disciplines have been, and still are centered on processes at solid solution interfaces. However, particular applications require molecu-larly defined interfaces, where reactants exhibit different solubility properties. In this section, we shall consider some of these systems and the advances reported so far. 

Stipp S.L., Hochella M.F.Jr., Parks G.A., Leckie J.O. Cd2+ uptake by calcite, solid-state diffusion, and the formation of solid-solution Interface processes observed with near-surface sensitive techniques (XPS, LEED, and AES). Geochim Cosmochim Acta 1992 56 1941-1954. 

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