Skip to main content

“Exclusion Zone” Formation in Mixtures of Ethanol and Water

Journal of Solution Chemistry volume 46, pages 626–632 (2017)Cite this article

Abstract

Brownian particles suspended in water or other polar liquids are pushed out of the region next to hydrophilic polymers, leaving a microsphere-free region known as the “exclusion zone” (EZ). This study aimed to test the hypothesis that the dilution of ethanol in water may influence EZ formation. EZs were created in aqueous media using Nafion tubes as EZ-nucleating surfaces. To define the outer edge of the EZ, carboxylate microspheres, 1 µm diameter, were used. Dynamic movement of microspheres away from Nafion surface was registered in mixtures of ethanol and water, the ethanol concentration varying from 0 to 95%. We found that mixtures with the highest concentrations of ethanol generally produced the smallest EZs and the slowest EZ buildup. However, an unexpected result was the presence of an extremum corresponding to ~10% ethanol. At this concentration, the EZ is larger than in either pure water or almost pure ethanol.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

References

  1. Zheng, J.M., Pollack, G.H.: Long-range forces extending from polymer–gel surfaces. Phys. Rev. E 68, 031408 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Pollack, G.H.: The Fourth Phase of Water. Ebner and Sons Publisher, Seattle (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Bernal, J.D., Fowler, R.H.: A theory of water and ionic solutions, with particular reference to hydrogen and hydroxyl ions. J. Chem. Phys. 1, 515–548 (1933)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Chai, B., Pollack, G.: Solute-free interfacial zones in polar liquids. J. Phys. Chem. B 114, 5371–5375 (2010)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Fletcher, N.H.: The Chemical Physics of Ice. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (1970)

    Book  Google Scholar 

  6. Allan, D.R., Clark, S.J.: Comparison of the high-pressure and low-temperature structures of ethanol and acetic acid. Phys. Rev. B 60, 6328–6334 (1999)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Heitner-Wirguin, C.: Recent advances in perfluorinated ionomer membranes: structure, properties and applications. J. Memb. Sci. 120, 1–33 (1998)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Pershin, V.K.: Pershin, Vl.K., Skopinov, S.A.: concept of the superpositional state in a problem of molecular mesomorphism: analytical review. Mol. Cryst. Liq. Cryst. 84, 213–229 (1982)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. de Gennes, P.J.: The Physics of Liquid Crystals. Clarendon Press, Oxford (1974)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

In part, the Russian Science Foundation (Grant# 14-19-00989) supported this work.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biomedical Physics Department, Ural State Medical University, Yekaterinburg, Russia, 620028

    S. A. Skopinov & F. A. Blyakhman

  2. Physics Department, Ural Federal University Named After the First President of Russia B.N. Yeltsin, Yekaterinburg, Russia, 620083

    M. V. Bodrova & F. A. Blyakhman

  3. Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA

    M. P. R. Jablon & G. H. Pollack

Authors
  1. S. A. Skopinov
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. V. Bodrova
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. P. R. Jablon
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. G. H. Pollack
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. F. A. Blyakhman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to F. A. Blyakhman.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Skopinov, S.A., Bodrova, M.V., Jablon, M.P.R. et al. “Exclusion Zone” Formation in Mixtures of Ethanol and Water. J Solution Chem 46, 626–632 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10953-017-0591-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10953-017-0591-1

Keywords

  • Hydrophilic surfaces
  • Water
  • Ethanol
  • Brownian particle motion
  • Exclusion zone (EZ)