Structure of the Electrical Double Layer in Non-aqueous Solvents

Systematic quantitative studies of the structure of the electrical double layer in non-aqueous solvents published during the past 10 years are reviewed. Methods for studying quantitatively the adsorption of ions at the electrode–solution (non-aqueous) interface are described, and the main experimental results on the specific adsorption of ions from non-aqueous media are summarised and compared with theoretical adsorption isotherms. The factors which determine the energy of adsorption and its dependence on the nature of the solvent, on the charge on the electrode, and on the number of pre-adsorbed particles are discussed. Existing models of the ionic double layer are tested for their ability to describe the specific adsorption of ions from non-aqueous solutions. Theoretical models of the fixed part of the electrical double layer are considered (in the absence of specific adsorption of ions), and used to interpret differential capacity curves in various solvents. 105 references.