Ion transport coefficients in electrolyte solutions (e.g., diffusion coefficients or electric conductivity) have been a subject of extensive studies for a long time. Whereas in the pioneering works of Debye, Hückel, and Onsager the ions were entirely characterized by their charge, recent theories allow specific effects of the ions (such as the ion size dependence or the pair association) to be obtained, both from simulation and from analytical theories. Such an approach, based on a combination of dynamic theories (Smoluchowski equation and mode-coupling theory) and of the mean spherical approximation (MSA) for the equilibrium pair correlation, is presented here. The various predicted equilibrium (osmotic pressure and activity coefficients) and transport coefficients (mutual diffusion, electric conductivity, self-diffusion, and transport numbers) are in good agreement with the experimental values up to high concentrations (1-2 mol L(-1)). Simple analytical expressions are obtained, and for practical use, the formula are given explicitly. We discuss the validity of such an approach which is nothing but a coarse-graining procedure.

Monovalent and divalent aqueous electrolytes confined in negatively charged porous silica are studied by means of molecular simulations including free energy calculations. Owing to the strong cation adsorption at the surface, surface charge overcompensation (overscreening) occurs which leads to an effective positive surface next to the Stern layer, followed by a negatively charged diffuse layer. A simple Poisson-Boltzmann model in which the single-ion potential of mean force is introduced is shown to capture the most prominent features of ion density profiles near an amorphous silica surface. Nevertheless, due to its mean-field nature, which fails to account for correlations, this simple model does not predict overscreening corresponding to charge inversion at the surface. Such an overscreening drastically affects the transport of confined electrolytes as it leads to flow reversal when subjected to an electric field. A simple continuum theory is shown to capture how the electro-osmotic flow is affected by overscreening and by the apparent enhanced viscosity of the confined electrolytes. Comparison with available experimental data is discussed, as well as the implications of these phenomena for ζ-potential measurements.

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Dipole polarizabilities of a series of ions in aqueous solutions are computed from first-principles. The procedure is based on the study of the linear response of the maximally localized Wannier functions to an applied external field, within density functional theory. For most monoatomic cations (Li(+), Na(+), K(+), Rb(+), Mg(2+), Ca(2+) and Sr(2+)) the computed polarizabilities are the same as in the gas phase. For Cs(+) and a series of anions (F(-), Cl(-), Br(-) and I(-)), environmental effects are observed, which reduce the polarizabilities in aqueous solutions with respect to their gas phase values. The polarizabilities of H((aq)) (+), OH((aq)) (-) have also been determined along an ab initio molecular dynamics simulation. We observe that the polarizability of a molecule instantaneously switches upon proton transfer events. Finally, we also computed the polarizability tensor in the case of a strongly anisotropic molecular ion, UO(2) (2+). The results of these calculations will be useful in building interaction potentials that include polarization effects.

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We investigate the Stern layer of charged silica–water interfaces by calculating the ion–surface interaction from molecular dynamics simulations. The McMillan–Mayer potentials of mean force between a charged oxygen site and a lithium or cesium cation have been calculated. Contact ion pairs (CIPs) are important for the adsorption and desorption of ions, especially for lithium. An activation energy appears, which can result in a large estimated relaxation time. In the case of lithium, time scales needed to bind or unbind ions to and from the surface are found to be very long (up to the order of seconds for some surfaces), which implies that molecular dynamics cannot always be fully equilibrated. This work provides a new image of the Stern layer: it is not a continuous layer but a set of Bjerrum pairs. As a matter of fact, quantitative (macroscopic) treatments of such systems with localized surface charges require a three-dimensional model, contrary to the more commonly used one- or two-dimensional theoretical treatments.

Osmotic coefficients of aqueous solutions of lanthanide salts are described using the binding mean spherical approximation (BIMSA) model based on the Wertheim formalism for association. The lanthanide(III) cation and the co-ion are allowed to form a 1-1 ion pair. Hydration is taken into account by introducing concentration-dependent cation size and solution permittivity. An expression for the osmotic coefficient, derived within the BIMSA, is used to fit data for a wide variety of lanthanide pure salt aqueous solutions at 25 degrees C. A total of 38 lanthanide salts have been treated, including perchlorates, nitrates, and chlorides. For most solutions, good fits could be obtained up to high ionic strengths. The relevance of the fitted parameters has been discussed, and a comparison with literature values has been made (especially the association constants) when available.

We present a simulation and modeling study of electro-osmotic flow of an aqueous cesium chloride solution confined in a charged amorphous silica slot. Contrasting traditional models of the electric double layer, molecular dynamics simulations indicate that there is no stagnant layer, no Stern layer conduction, and no outer Helmholtz layer. The description of the interface requires two considerations. First, a distinction has to be made between free and surface-bonded ions. The latter do not form a physical layer but rather a set of ion–surface contact pairs. Second, the mobility of the free ions is reduced relative to their bulk value. This hydrodynamic effect needs to be included. These two concepts, coupled to simple macroscopic equations, are sufficient to describe surface conductivity and electro-osmotic flow in the frame of classical mean-field treatment. We show that surface conduction is negative at high concentration, and the Bikerman formula is only valid at low concentration.