Nonideal effects in electroacoustics of solutions of charged particles: combined experimental and theoretical analysis from simple electrolytes to small nanoparticles

The electric signal induced by an ultrasonic wave in aqueous solutions of charged species is measured and analyzed. A device is developed which measures the raw induced electric signal for small sample volumes (few milliliters) and without any preceding calibration. The potential difference generated between two identical electrodes, called the ionic vibration potential (IVP), is thus easily deduced. In parallel, a theory for the IVP is built based on a robust analytical theory already used successfully to account for other transport coefficients in electrolyte solutions. From the analysis of the IVP measured for several aqueous electrolyte solutions, which are well-defined model systems for this technique, we explain and validate the different contributions to the signal. In particular, the non-ideal effects at high concentrations are thoroughly understood. A first step towards colloidal systems is presented by the analysis of the signal in solutions of a polyoxometallate salt, opening the possibility of determinations of reliable electrophoretic mobilities in dispersions of nanoobjects.