Dielectric Diffusion: a Further Experimental Investigation and an Alternative Explanation

Abstract

Breuer and Robinson¹ recently reported the existence of a new phenomenon, “dielectric diffusion”. These authors studied the diffusion between two solutions of sodium lauryl sulphate (SDS) of different concentrations placed as separate layers in an 11 cm³ Tiselius electrophoresis cell. The process of diffusion was followed with a system of Schlieren optics in a Spinco model H electrophoresis/diffusion apparatus. It was observed that an alternating electric field applied across the boundary changed the slopes of the second moment of the boundary curves versus time plots, eventually causing the value of the second moment to become independent of time.