Ionic conductivity on a wetting surface

Brian Skinner, M. S. Loth, and B. I. Shklovksii
Phys. Rev. E 80, 041925 – Published 23 October 2009

Abstract

Recent experiments measuring the electrical conductivity of DNA molecules highlight the need for a theoretical model of ion transport along a charged surface. Here we present a simple theory based on the idea of unbinding of ion pairs. The strong humidity dependence of conductivity is explained by the decrease in the electrostatic self-energy of a separated pair when a layer of water (with high dielectric constant) is adsorbed to the surface. We compare our prediction for conductivity to experiment and discuss the limits of its applicability.

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  • Received 3 August 2009

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.80.041925

©2009 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Brian Skinner, M. S. Loth, and B. I. Shklovksii

  • Theoretical Physics Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA

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Issue

Vol. 80, Iss. 4 — October 2009

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