Physical principles of the formation of a nanoparticle electric double layer in metal hydrosols

The Brownian dynamics method is employed to study the formation of an electrical double layer (EDL) on the metal nanoparticle (NP) surface in hydrosols during adsorption of electrolyte ions from the interparticle medium. Also studied is the charge accumulation by NPs in the Stern layer. To simulate the process of the formation of EDL, we took into account the effect of image forces and specific adsorption, dissipative and random forces, and the degree of hydration of adsorbed ions on the EDL structure. The employed model makes it possible to determine the charge of NPs and the structure of EDL. For the first time, the charge of both the diffuse part of EDL and the dense Stern layer has been determined. A decrease in the electrolyte concentration (below c < 0.1 mol/l) has been found to result in dramatic changes in the formation of the Stern layer. [Figure not available: see fulltext.].