Water at interfaces

Electrolyte cations and anions in aqueous solutions are hydrogen bond breaker. We found that most of anions are strong hydrogen bond breaker whereas cations are not. Further, the electro-reduction of Mg(H2O)6(2+) to Mg(OH)2 and the growth of the Mg(OH)2 were observed on Au electrode surface at negative electrode potential. Water molecules in an electric double layer exhibit an ordered and a disordered structure at negative and pzc (point of zero charge) potentials, respectively. Therefore, electrode potential polarization (negative or pzc potential application) from an equilibrium potential operates an electrified interface to cause increased or decreased ordering, orientation and charge transfer of water molecules as well as dissociation of water on the electrode surface.