Journal of Adhesion, Vol.79, No.10, 893-903, 2003
A consistent alternative to the DLVO theory
An overview of a new theory of repulsions between charged surfaces is given. The theory is based on consistent Maxwellian electrostatics with linear distribution laws, which predict the existence of co-ion exclusion boundaries. The theory covers interactions from infinity to contact in terms of three electrostatic models: the low potential (LP) model, the co-ion exclusion (CX) model, and the high potential (HP) model. The new theory predicts short-range electrostatic forces that are much stronger than those derived from the nonlinear DLVO theory; no universal Van der Waals adhesion at short distances is predicted. For planar charged surfaces, these short-range electrostatic forces decay according to the inverse square of separation in accordance with experimental observations.
Keywords:adhesion and disadhesion;short-range repulsions;DLVO theory;dissociative electrical double layer;Maxwellian electrostatics;co-ion exclusion;ionic atmosphere transitions