The diffuse layer is a region in a colloidal system where the concentration of ions gradually decreases from the surface of a charged particle into the bulk solution, balancing the particle's charge. This layer, along with the Stern layer, forms the electrical double layer, which is crucial in determining the stability and behavior of colloids and interfaces in various chemical and biological systems.

Diffuse Layer

diffuse layer

A colloidal system is a mixture where one substance is dispersed evenly throughout another at a microscopic level, with particle sizes typically ranging from 1 nanometer to 1 micrometer. These systems exhibit unique properties such as the Tyndall effect and are stabilized by various forces including electrostatic and steric interactions.

colloidal system

concentration of ions

charged particle

bulk solution

balancing the particle's charge

The Stern layer is a part of the electrical double layer at the interface between a solid surface and a liquid, where ions are specifically adsorbed, creating a compact layer of counterions directly attached to the surface. This layer affects the electrochemical properties and stability of colloidal systems, influencing processes like adsorption, electrokinetic phenomena, and surface charge regulation.

Stern layer

An electrical double layer forms at the interface between a conductive surface and an electrolyte, consisting of a layer of adsorbed ions and a diffuse layer of counter-ions. This structure plays a critical role in electrochemical processes, affecting phenomena such as capacitance, electrokinetic effects, and surface charge interactions.

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