Direct observation of a nonequilibrium electro-osmotic instability

Phys Rev Lett. 2008 Dec 5;101(23):236101. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.101.236101. Epub 2008 Dec 2.

Abstract

We present a visualization of the predicted instability in ionic conduction from a binary electrolyte into a charge selective solid. This instability develops when a voltage greater than critical is applied to a thin layer of copper sulfate flanked by a copper anode and a cation selective membrane. The current-voltage dependence exhibits a saturation at the limiting current. With a further increase of voltage, the current increases, marking the transition to the overlimiting conductance. This transition is mediated by the appearing vortical flow that increases with the applied voltage.