A comprehensive continuum theory of structured liquids

TL;DR

This paper introduces a comprehensive continuum model for structured liquids that integrates electrostatic and structural interactions, extending previous theories with detailed boundary conditions and polarization effects.

Contribution

It presents a novel continuum theory combining charge density and polarization to model structured liquids, including boundary charge regulation and surface polarization effects.

Findings

Generalized previous models with a two-parameter approach

Explicit inclusion of electrostatic and structural interactions

Detailed boundary conditions for charge regulation and polarization

Abstract

We develop a comprehensive continuum model capable of treating both electrostatic and structural interactions in liquid dielectrics. Starting from a two-order parameter description in terms of charge density and polarization, we derive a field-theoretic model generalizing previous theories. Our theory explicitly includes electrostatic and structural interactions in the bulk of the liquid and allows for polarization charges within a Drude model. In particular, we develop a detailed description of the boundary conditions which include the charge regulation mechanism and surface polarization. The general features for solving the saddle-point equations of our model are elucidated and future applications to predict and validate experimental results are outlined.