Aquatic chemistry of metal (hydr)oxide nanoparticles (NPs) such as TiO2, Fe2O3, CeO2 is commonly studied assuming that these NPs are nonpolarizable.  In contrast, we demonstrate that the interfacial potential, adsorption capacity, and affinity of these NPs strongly depend on the electric polarization. This discovery suggests that the semiconducting NPs should be classified as amphifunctional and calls for the revision of the commonly accepted Gouy-Chapman structure of the electric double layer built up around these NPs in water.

Are metal (hydr)oxide nanoparticles indeed nonpolarizable?

244th National Meeting (2012)

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