Anomalous Diffusion of Electrically Neutral Molecules in Charged Nanochannels

Abstract

Confined and free diffusion of phenol occur in the electric double layer (EDL) and extra-EDL region in the nanochannels of porous anodic alumina (see picture). The inductive effect of the EDL electric field on the phenol molecules slows their diffusion, but it is negligible in the free-diffusion region. The extent of the two regions depends on EDL thickness, and hence the diffusion flux increases with increasing ionic strength of the electrolyte. Detailed facts of importance to specialist readers are published as ”Supporting Information”. Such documents are peer-reviewed, but not copy-edited or typeset. They are made available as submitted by the authors. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.