Infrared Observations of the Interface Electric Current along the Methyl Alcohol-Silica Interface

Abstract

The existence of the interface current at the methyl alcohol-silica interface was confirmed by infrared observations of the thermal boundary layer (TBL) formed due to Joule heat at the interface. Since the current estimated using the electric conductivity of the bulk phase of the methyl alcohol was 1/10 of the current actually observed, the existence of an interface current flowing in the electric double layer formed at the liquid-solid interface, where the excess cations carry the electric current more effectively than the bulk phase, was confirmed. Since the electric conductivity of the methyl alcohol is extremely low, the infrared rays from the TBL were observed without being impeded by the Joule heat of the bulk phase. Despite the fact that the heat conduction is capable of expanding the TBL, the steady thickness of the TBL was found to be maintained due to radiation loss.