Ion condensation on charged patterned surfaces

Abstract

We study ion condensation onto a patterned surface of alternating charges. The competition between self-energy and ion-surface interactions leads to the formation of ionic crystalline structures at low temperatures. We consider different arrangements of underlying ionic crystals, including single ion adsorption, as well as the formation of dipoles at the interface between charged domains. Molecular dynamic simulation illustrates existence of single and mixed phases. Our results contribute to understanding pattern recognition, and molecular separation and synthesis near patterned surfaces.

3 figures

References in corpus (4)

• Distribution of counterions near discretely charged planes and rods
• Charged Particles on Surfaces: Coexistence of Dilute Phases and Periodic Structures on Membranes
• Spontaneous chirality via long-range electrostatic forces
• Competing interactions in two dimensional Coulomb systems: Surface charge heterogeneities in co-assembled cationic-anionic incompatible mixtures