Direct measurement of ion accumulation at the electrode electrolyte interface under an oscillatory electric field

The ionic charge accumulation at the metal-electrolyte interface is directly measured by using differential interferometry as a function of magnitude and frequency (2-50 kHz) of external electric field. The technique developed probes the ion dynamics confined to the electrical double layer. The amplitude of modulation of the ions is linearly proportional to the amplitude of applied potential. The linearity is observed up to high electrode potentials and salt concentrations. The frequency response of the ion dynamics at the interface is interpreted in terms of the classical RC model.