Strong-coupling theory for a polarizable planar colloid

TL;DR

This paper develops a strong-coupling theoretical framework to analyze the behavior of counter-ions near a polarizable planar interface, considering dielectric effects and deriving explicit density profiles.

Contribution

It introduces a Wigner-Crystal based strong-coupling approach for polarizable interfaces, providing explicit counter-ion density profiles for different dielectric scenarios.

Findings

Derived explicit counter-ion density profiles for various dielectric contrasts.

Extended strong-coupling theory to polarizable planar interfaces.

Analyzed effects of dielectric image charges on ion distributions.

Abstract

We propose a strong-coupling analysis of a polarizable planar interface, in the spirit of a recently introduced Wigner-Crystal formulation. The system is made up of two moieties: a semi-infinite medium (z<0) with permittivity epsilon' while the other half space in z>0 is occupied by a solution with permittivity epsilon, and mobile counter-ions (no added electrolyte). The interface at z=0 bears a uniform surface charge. The counter-ion density profile is worked out explicitly for both repulsive and attractive dielectric image cases.