On the electrical double layer contribution to the interfacial tension of protein crystals

TL;DR

This paper investigates how the electrical double layer affects the interfacial tension of protein crystal interfaces, showing it has a negative contribution that diminishes with higher salt concentrations.

Contribution

It provides a quantitative estimate of the electrical double layer's contribution to interfacial tension in protein crystals, including effects of salt concentration.

Findings

Electrical double layer contributes negatively to interfacial tension.

The magnitude of this contribution decreases with increasing salt concentration.

Brief consideration of interactions between protein surfaces.

Abstract

We study the electrical double layer at the interface between a protein crystal and a salt solution or a dilute solution of protein, and estimate the double layer's contribution to the interfacial tension of this interface. This contribution is negative and decreases in magnitude with increasing salt concentration. We also consider briefly the interaction between a pair of protein surfaces.