Self-Consistent Theory of the Surface Tension of Electrolyte Solutions

Abstract

A self-consistent treatment is given for the ion distribution near the surface of electrolyte solutions, by solving the Debye-Hueckel equation in the WKB approximation. The surface tension is calculated for electrolyte aqueous solutions with improvement of Onsager and Samaras' result, in comparison with the experiment. Kirkwood and Buff's method is reexamined to get a new and simple expression for the suface tension increase. The self-consistent treatment is shown to be crucial for obtaining a convergent result by means of different basic formulas.