Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 28, 2026

Dynamic Electrochemical Measurement of Chloride Ions
Published on: February 5, 2016
Direct observation of charge inversion by multivalent ions as a universal electrostatic phenomenon
K Besteman1, M A G Zevenbergen, H A Heering
1Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, 2628 CJ Delft, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
We have directly observed reversal of the polarity of charged surfaces in water upon the addition of trivalent and quadrivalent ions using atomic force microscopy. The bulk concentration of multivalent ions at which charge inversion reversibly occurs depends only very weakly on the chemical composition, surface structure, size, and lipophilicity of the ions, but is very sensitive to their valence. These results support the theoretical proposal that spatial correlations between ions are the driving mechanism behind charge inversion.
More Related Videos
08:06Merging Ion Concentration Polarization between Juxtaposed Ion Exchange Membranes to Block the Propagation of the Polarization Zone
Published on: February 23, 2017
08:39Whole-cell Patch-clamp Recordings for Electrophysiological Determination of Ion Selectivity in Channelrhodopsins
Published on: May 22, 2017
Related Concept Videos
Electric Charges
The English physicist William Gilbert studied the phenomenon of static electricity in...
Charging Conductors By Induction
Generally, conductors like metals do not allow any excess charge to be present on them. Any excess charge added to metals easily flows away, for example, when a metal is placed on the Earth. This process is called earthing.
However, conductors can be charged by a process called induction. For example, consider charging a...
Electric Dipoles and Dipole Moment
Theoretically, studying electric dipoles leads to understanding why the resultant electric forces around us are weak. Since electric forces are strong, remnant net charges are rare. Hence, the interaction between dipoles helps us understand electrical interactions in...
Theory of Strong Electrolytes
Electrochemical Systems
The Electrical Double Layer