General theory of charge regulation within the Poisson-Boltzmann framework: study of a sticky-charged wall model

Abstract

This work introduces a sticky-charge wall model as a simple and intuitive representation of charge regulation. Implemented within the mean-field level of description, the model modifies the boundary conditions without affecting the underlying Poisson-Boltzmann (PB) equation of an electrolyte. Employing various modified PB equations, we are able to assess how various structural details of an electrolyte influence charge regulation.