Nanoscience and Microsystems ETDs

Mark Fleharty

Publication Date

6-23-2015

Abstract

Electrostatic properties of uidic nanoscale systems are of fundamental interest and play an important role in many engineering applications. Due to the large surface area to volume ratios of these systems, interfacial phenomena are of key importance to understanding their behavior. We present several studies of uidic nanoscale systems using the Poisson{Boltzmann equation which treats the uid as a continuum, and density functional theory of uids which uses a statistical mechanical treatment of the uid that includes nite-size e ects. Chemical equilibria at the interface is accounted for by coupling these methods with charge regulating theory. The e ects of charge regulation lead to several novel predictions about uidic nanoscale systems including pH dependent conductivities, reduced stability of doped colloidal dispersions, and a dependence of the surface charge on the solvent structure.

Keywords

semiconductor-electrolyte interface, nanopore conductivity, nanochannel conductivity, ion size effect, solvent size effect, electrostatic double-layer, semiconductor colloid stability

Sponsors

National Science Foundation (CBET 0844645), Charlotte and William Kraft Graduate Fellowship, Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (P200A090028)

Document Type

Dissertation

Language

English

Degree Name

Nanoscience and Microsystems

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

Nanoscience and Microsystems

First Committee Member (Chair)

van Swol, Frank

Second Committee Member

Han, Sang M.

Third Committee Member

Atanassov, Plamen

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