Direct Observation of a Nonequilibrium Electro-Osmotic Instability

作者：Rubinstein S M^*; Manukyan G; Staicu A; Rubinstein I; Zaltzman B; Lammertink R G H; Mugele F; Wessling M

来源：Physical Review Letters, 2008, 101(23): 236101.

DOI：10.1103/PhysRevLett.101.236101

We present a visualization of the predicted instability in ionic conduction from a binary electrolyte into a charge selective solid. This instability develops when a voltage greater than critical is applied to a thin layer of copper sulfate flanked by a copper anode and a cation selective membrane. The current-voltage dependence exhibits a saturation at the limiting current. With a further increase of voltage, the current increases, marking the transition to the overlimiting conductance. This transition is mediated by the appearing vortical flow that increases with the applied voltage.

• 出版日期2008-12-5