The effect of electric field on capillary waves at the interface of two immiscible electrolytes

The effect of electric field on the corrugation of the interface between tw o immiscible electrolytes is theoretically studied within the linearized Po isson-Boltzmann approximation. It is shown that charging of the interface l eads to an enhancement of the surface corrugation, which may cause a destru ction of the interface by a sufficiently strong field. Dependencies of the mean-square height of corrugation on the overall potential drop across the interface V and on the ionic concentrations in the two electrolytes are ana lyzed. Predictions amenable to experimental tests are discussed. (C) 1999 E lsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.