Theory of Electrical Double Layers in Adsorbed Films

Abstract

The nature of an absorbed layer is discussed in terms of quantum mechanics, and the factors governing the sign and magnitude of the electrical double-layer are determined. Although the ionization potentials of Ca, Sr and Ba are greater than the electronic work function of tungsten, a sparse distribution of these atoms on a tungsten surface behaves in a way quite similar to atoms of alkali metals whose ionization potentials are much smaller. This behavior can be understood only in terms of quantum mechanics.