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Formation and Evolution of Chemical Gradients and Potential Differences Across Self‐Assembling Inorganic Membranes
Author(s) -
Glaab Fabian,
Kellermeier Matthias,
Kunz Werner,
Morallon Emilia,
GarcíaRuiz Juan Manuel
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
angewandte chemie international edition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.831
H-Index - 550
eISSN - 1521-3773
pISSN - 1433-7851
DOI - 10.1002/anie.201107754
Subject(s) - membrane , precipitation , diffusion , electrochemistry , chemical engineering , ion , chemistry , materials science , chemical physics , nanotechnology , electrode , thermodynamics , organic chemistry , meteorology , engineering , physics , biochemistry
Silica gardens are well‐known examples for the self‐assembly of inorganic material (see figure). The growth of hollow tubes results in the spontaneous formation of two compartments with highly dissimilar pH and ion concentrations, which cause electrochemical potential differences across the membrane. Initially generated gradients are relieved over time through dynamic diffusion and precipitation processes.