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Mean Inner Potential of Liquid Water
Murat Nulati Yesibolati1, Simone Laganà1, Hongyu Sun1
1DTU Nanolab, National Centre for Nano Fabrication and Characterization, Technical University of Denmark, Building 307, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
Physical Review Letters
|February 29, 2020
Summary
Researchers determined the mean inner potential (MIP) of liquid water using electron holography. This fundamental property is crucial for understanding interfacial processes and improving theoretical models of aqueous systems.
Area of Science:
- Physical Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Nanoscience
Background:
- Understanding electric potentials at liquid-solid interfaces is key to interfacial processes.
- Electron holography requires material's mean inner potential (MIP) for solid-solid interfaces.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively determine the MIP of liquid water.
- To establish a benchmark for improving quantum mechanical descriptions of aqueous systems.
Main Methods:
- Combining off-axis electron holography with liquid phase transmission electron microscopy (LPTEM).
- Quantitative MIP determination of liquid water.
Main Results:
- First quantitative MIP determination of liquid water: V₀ = +4.48 ± 0.19 V.
- Obtained MIP value is higher than most theoretical predictions.
Conclusions:
- Precise MIP measurement enables nanoscale holographic potential measurements in liquids.
- Provides a benchmark for refining quantum mechanical simulations of aqueous systems and interfaces.
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