Sains Malaysiana 54(8)(2025): 2033-2043

http://doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2025-5408-13

 

Probing the Electrochemical Properties of Exclusion Zone Water

(Menyelidiki Sifat Elektrokimia Zon Air Pengecualian)

 

CHUT-NGEOW YEE1, C H RAYMOND OOI1,*, LUCK-PHENG TAN3 & NYIAK-TAO TANG2

 

1Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

2Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

3Prime Oleochemicals Industries Sdn. Bhd., Lot 976 (2504), Batu 28, Simpang Tiga, Pekan Ijok, 45600 Kuala Selangor, Selangor, Malaysia

 

Received: 13 February 2025/Accepted: 2 July 2025

 

Abstract

The presence of solute-free zones, called the exclusion zones (EZ) near water interfaces, is a phenomenon that has been extensively studied. While the EZ is shown to be negatively charged, it is balanced by an adjacent region that is rich in positive ions. This paper investigates this twin characteristic of EZ on electrical conductivity. We show that EZ has a strong inhibitory effect on electrical flow, especially the negative current, providing additional evidence to its structural integrity and rigidity. More interesting is the positive ion-rich region adjoining the EZ, we show this region is a highly conductive surface that facilitates the flow of negative current.

Keywords: Electrochemistry; exclusion zone; water conductivity

 

Abstrak

Kehadiran zon bebas bahan terlarut, dipanggil zon pengecualian (EZ) berhampiran air antara muka, merupakan fenomena yang telah dikaji secara meluas. Walaupun EZ ditunjukkan bercas negatif, ia diimbangi oleh kawasan bersebelahan yang kaya dengan ion positif. Kertas ini mengkaji ciri kembar EZ ini pada kekonduksian elektrik. Kami menunjukkan bahawa EZ mempunyai kesan perencatan yang kuat pada aliran elektrik, terutamanya arus negatif, memberikan bukti tambahan kepada integriti dan ketegaran strukturnya. Lebih menarik ialah kawasan yang kaya dengan ion positif yang bersebelahan dengan EZ, kami menunjukkan rantau ini adalah permukaan yang sangat konduktif yang memudahkan pengaliran arus negatif.

Kata kunci: Elektrokimia; kekonduksian air; zon pengecualian

 

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*Corresponding author; email: rooi@um.edu.my

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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