Weak- and strong-coupling electrostatic interactions between asymmetrically charged planar surfaces

Phys Rev E Stat Nonlin Soft Matter Phys. 2008 Dec;78(6 Pt 1):061105. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevE.78.061105. Epub 2008 Dec 5.

Abstract

We compare weak- and strong-coupling theory of counterion-mediated electrostatic interactions between two asymmetrically charged plates with extensive Monte Carlo simulations. Analytical results in both weak- and strong-coupling limits compare excellently with simulations in their respective regimes of validity. The system shows a surprisingly rich structure in terms of interactions between the surfaces as well as fundamental qualitative differences in behavior in the weak- and the strong-coupling limits.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Biophysical Phenomena
  • Models, Theoretical*
  • Monte Carlo Method
  • Static Electricity*
  • Surface Properties