Solved with COMSOL Multiphysics 4.

3b

Modeling the Diffuse Double Layer

Introduction
In the very vicinity of an electrode surface (in the range of up to a few nanometers), in
the diffuse double layer, the assumption of electroneutrality is not valid due to charge
separation. Typically the diffuse double layer may be of interest when modeling very
thin layers of electrolyte, for instance in electrochemical capacitors and in atmospheric
corrosion problems.
To model the behavior of the diffuse double layer, one needs to solve for the
Nernst-Planck equations for all of the ions, in combination with the Poissons equation
for the potential. The combination of these equations is frequently referred to as the
Poisson-Nernst-Planck (PNP) equations.
This example shows how to couple the Nernst-Planck equations, solved using the
Transport of Diluted Species physics interface, to the Poissons equation, solved using
the Electrostatics physics interface.
A problem that arises when modeling the PNP equations is how to handle the
boundary condition for the potential equation. In this example an assumption of a
Stern layer with a constant capacity is used to derive surface charge boundary
conditions for Poissons equation.
The model reproduces the results of Bazant and Chu (see Ref. 1 and Ref. 2).

Model Definition
The model geometry is in 1D (a single interval between 0 and L) and consists of one
single domain, representing the electrolyte phase, including the diffuse double layer.
DOMAIN EQUATIONS

The concentrations, ci (mol/m3, i=+,-), of two ions of opposite charge (+1/-1) are
solved for in the electrolyte phase. The flux (Ni, mol/(m2s)) of these are described by
the Nernst-Planck equation
N i = D i c i u m, i z i Fc i

(1)

with Di (m2/s) the diffusion coefficient, um,i (smol/kg) the mobility, F (C/mol)
Faradays constant, and (V) the potential.

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Assuming no heterogenous reactions in the electrolyte, the governing equations for

the two species become:
Ni = 0

(2)

For the potential, Poissons equation states

( ) =

(3)

where is the permittivity (F/m) and the charge density (C/m3), depending on the
ion concentrations according to:
= F ( c+ c- )

(4)

BOUNDARY CONDITIONS

The boundaries reside in the reaction plane of the electrodes on each side. The same
electrode reaction, in which the positive ion, S+,participates, takes place on both
electrodes.
+

S + e S(s)

(5)

a F
c F
r = K a c M exp ----------------- K c + exp --------------------
RT
RT
c

(6)

The reaction rate r (mol/(m2s)) is

where Ka and Kc (m/s) are the anodic and cathodic rate constants, cM the metal
species activity (mol/m3, constant) and a and c the anodic and cathodic transfer
coefficients. (V) is the difference in potential between the metal phase, M (V),
and the reaction plane:
= M

(7)

The electrode reaction renders an inward flux for the positive ion according to
n N+ = r

(8)

on both boundaries. For the negative ion, a zero flux condition is used.
n N- = 0

(9)

Assuming the reaction plane to be placed at the boundary between the inner
(compact) and diffuse double layer, and with the assumption of a Stern compact layer

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of a constant thickness, S (m), one can derive the following Robin type of boundary
condition for the potential:
+ S ( n ) = M

(10)

This condition reduces to a Dirichlet voltage condition for S = 0, that is, in the
absence of a Stern layer. For the case of a non-zero stern layer thickness, the condition
can be reformulated as a surface charge condition

n ( ) = --------S

(11)

CELL POTENTIAL EQUATION

The problem formulated above can now be solved for given voltages of M in the
metal electrode phase for each side. Typically one grounds one electrode and specifies
the cell voltage as V so that
M
M

x=0
x=L

= 0
(12)

= V

However, to solve for a given cell current density, icell (A/m2), with V not known a
priori, an additional global equation, solving for V, is used, fulfilling the condition:
i cell = Fr

(13)

x=L

GLOBAL CONCENTRATION CONSTRAINT FOR THE NEGATIVE ION

When solving this system for a stationary solution, the negative ion concentration
needs an additional boot-strap to render a stable, unique, solution. This is done by
adding the following global constraint to the equation system:
L

c0 L =

0 c- dx

(14)

where c0 is the initial ion concentration (mol/m3), equal for both ions.
The constraint assures that the total number of negative ions is preserved during the
iterative solver process. (For time-dependent simulations the constraint can be
omitted.)

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DIMENSIONLESS NUMBERS AND PARAMETER VALUES

A number of dimensionless numbers can be derived that govern the behavior of the
cell. The problem is solved using a parametric study for a dimensionless parameter
D = (0.001, 0.01, 0.1), defined as
D = D L
D =

RT --------------2
2F c 0

(15)

where D is the Debye length.

The current of the cell is defined via the dimensionless number j=0.9,
j = i cell i D
i D = 4FD + c 0 L

(16)

where iD is the Nernstian limiting current density.

The cathodic reaction rate constant is defined using the dimensionless number kc = 10,
Kc L
k c = ----------4D +

(17)

The rate of the anodic reaction term is governed by the dimensionless number kr = 10,
K r Lc M
k r = -----------------4D + c 0

(18)

and the Stern layer thickness is set using the dimensionless number =0.1,
S
= ------D

(19)

Results and Discussion

The following dimensionless variables are used when presenting the results:

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x
x = ---L
( c+ + c- )
c = --------------------2c 0

(20)

( c+ c- )
= -------------------2c 0
F
= -------RT

Figure 1 shows the dimensionless concentration, c . The concentration gradients are

steepest close to the electrodes.

Figure 1: Dimensionless concentration profile.

Figure 2 shows the dimensionless charge density profile. Charge separation occurs
close to the electrodes. For higher values of D the region of charge separation, the
diffuse double layer, stretches further into the domain. This is expected since higher
D values effectively means a shorter domain length.

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Figure 2: Dimensionless charge density profile.

Figure 3 shows the potential profile. For higher values of D the voltage over the cell
decreases. This is an expected result since a shorter domain length shortens the
potential losses due to ion transport.

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Figure 3: Dimensionless potential profile.

Notes About the COMSOL Implementation

The element order is set to 2 for the Transport of Diluted Species to match the default
element order 2 of the Electrostatics physics.

References
1. M. Bazant, K. Chu, and B. Bayly. Current-Voltage Relations for Electrochemical
Thin Films, SIAM Journal of Applied Math, vol. 65 (2005), no. 5, pp. 14631484.
2. K. Chu, and M. Bazant, Electrochemical Thin Films at and Above the Classical
Limiting Current, SIAM Journal of Applied Math, vol. 65 (2005), no. 5, pp. 1485
1505.

Model Library path: Electrochemistry_Module/Tutorial_Models/

diffuse_double_layer

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Modeling Instructions
MODEL WIZARD

1 Go to the Model Wizard window.

2 Click the 1D button.
3 Click Next.
4 In the Add physics tree, select AC/DC>Electrostatics (es).
5 Click Add Selected.
6 Find the Dependent variables subsection. In the Electric potential edit field, type phi.
7 In the Add physics tree, select Chemical Species Transport>Transport of Diluted Species
(chds).
8 Click Add Selected.
9 Click Add Concentration.
10 In the Concentrations table, enter the following settings:
cp
cm

11 In the Add physics tree, select Mathematics>ODE and DAE Interfaces>Global ODEs and
DAEs (ge).
12 Click Add Selected.
13 Click Next.
14 Find the Studies subsection. In the tree, select Preset Studies for Selected
Physics>Stationary.
15 Click Finish.
GLOBAL DEFINITIONS

Start by loading some parameters from a text file.

Parameters
1 In the Model Builder window, right-click Global Definitions and choose Parameters.
2 In the Parameters settings window, locate the Parameters section.
3 Click Load from File.
4 Browse to the models Model Library folder and double-click the file
diffuse_double_layer_parameters.txt.

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GEOMETRY 1

Build the geometry as a single interval.

Interval 1
1 In the Model Builder window, under Model 1 right-click Geometry 1 and choose
Interval.
2 In the Interval settings window, locate the Interval section.
3 In the Right endpoint edit field, type L.
4 Click the Build All button.
5 Click the Zoom Extents button on the Graphics toolbar.
DEFINITIONS

Proceed by adding some variable expressions. (Some of the expressions use variables
that have not yet been defined and are hence marked in orange color, this is expected.)

Variables 1
1 In the Model Builder window, under Model 1 right-click Definitions and choose
Variables.
2 In the Variables settings window, locate the Geometric Entity Selection section.
3 From the Geometric entity level list, choose Boundary.
4 Select Boundaries 1 and 2 only.
5 In the Variables settings window, locate the Variables section.
6 Click Load from File.
7 Browse to the models Model Library folder and double-click the file
diffuse_double_layer_variables.txt.

Variables 2
1 In the Model Builder window, right-click Definitions and choose Variables.
2 In the Variables settings window, locate the Geometric Entity Selection section.
3 From the Geometric entity level list, choose Boundary.
4 Select Boundary 1 only.
5 Locate the Variables section. In the table, enter the following settings:
Name

Expression

Description

phiM

0[V]

Metal phase potential

(ground)

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Variables 3
1 Right-click Definitions and choose Variables.
2 In the Variables settings window, locate the Geometric Entity Selection section.
3 From the Geometric entity level list, choose Boundary.
4 Select Boundary 2 only.
5 Locate the Variables section. In the table, enter the following settings:
Name

Expression

Description

phiM

Metal phase potential (cell

voltage)

Integration 1
Add integration coupling operators to be used when setting up the global voltage
equation and the global constraint.
1 Right-click Definitions and choose Model Couplings>Integration.
2 In the Integration settings window, locate the Source Selection section.
3 From the Geometric entity level list, choose Boundary.
4 Select Boundary 2 only.

Integration 2
1 Right-click Definitions and choose Model Couplings>Integration.
2 Select Domain 1 only.
ELECTROSTATICS

Charge Conservation 1
Now start setting up the physics, begin with the Electrostatics physics (Poisson's
equation).
1 In the Model Builder window, under Model 1>Electrostatics click Charge Conservation
1.
2 In the Charge Conservation settings window, locate the Electric Field section.
3 From the r list, choose User defined.

Space Charge Density 1

1 In the Model Builder window, right-click Electrostatics and choose Space Charge
Density.
2 Select Domain 1 only.

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3 In the Space Charge Density settings window, locate the Space Charge Density section.
4 In the v edit field, type F_const*Z*(cp-cm).

Surface Charge Density 1

1 Right-click Electrostatics and choose Surface Charge Density.
2 Select Boundaries 1 and 2 only.
3 In the Surface Charge Density settings window, locate the Surface Charge Density

section.
4 In the s edit field, type rho_s.
TR A N S P O R T O F D I L U T E D S P E C I E S

Now set up the model for the transport of the ions. Enable migration and change the
element order to 2 to match the default element order of the Electrostatics physics.
1 In the Model Builder window, under Model 1 click Transport of Diluted Species.
2 In the Transport of Diluted Species settings window, locate the Transport Mechanisms

section.
3 Clear the Convection check box.
4 Select the Migration in electric field check box.
5 In the Model Builder windows toolbar, click the Show button and select Discretization

in the menu.
6 Click to expand the Discretization section. From the Concentration list, choose
Quadratic.

Diffusion and Migration

1 In the Model Builder window, under Model 1>Transport of Diluted Species click
Diffusion and Migration.
2 In the Diffusion and Migration settings window, locate the Model Inputs section.
3 In the V edit field, type phi.
4 In the T edit field, type T.
5 Locate the Diffusion section. In the Dcp edit field, type D.
6 In the Dcm edit field, type D.
7 In the Dcp edit field, type Dp.
8 In the Dcm edit field, type Dm.
9 Locate the Migration in Electric Field section. In the zcp edit field, type Z.
10 In the zcm edit field, type -Z.

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Flux 1
1 In the Model Builder window, right-click Transport of Diluted Species and choose Flux.
2 Select Boundaries 1 and 2 only.
3 In the Flux settings window, locate the Inward Flux section.
4 Select the Species cp check box.
5 In the N0,cp edit field, type r.

Initial Values 1
1 In the Model Builder window, under Model 1>Transport of Diluted Species click Initial
Values 1.
2 In the Initial Values settings window, locate the Initial Values section.
3 In the cp edit field, type cref.
4 In the cm edit field, type cref.
5 In the Model Builder windows toolbar, click the Show button and select Advanced
Physics Options in the menu.

Global Constraint 1
Add a global constraint to boot-strap the average concentration of negative ions to the
initial value.
1 In the Model Builder window, right-click Transport of Diluted Species and choose
Global>Global Constraint.
2 In the Global Constraint settings window, locate the Global Constraint section.
3 In the Constraint expression edit field, type intop2(cm)-(cref*L).
GLOBAL ODES AND DAES

Global Equations 1
Finally, add the equation for the cell potential.
1 In the Model Builder window, under Model 1>Global ODEs and DAEs click Global
Equations 1.
2 In the Global Equations settings window, locate the Global Equations section.
3 In the table, enter the following settings:

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Name

f(u,ut,utt,t)

Description

intop1(iloc)-icell

Cell voltage

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MESH 1

Edit the default meshing sequence, make the mesh parameter dependent to make sure
the mesh is always a well resolved at the boundaries. (The parametric sweep will change
the size of the geometry during the solver process.)

Edge 1
In the Model Builder window, under Model 1 right-click Mesh 1 and choose Edit
Physics-Induced Sequence.

Size 1
1 In the Model Builder window, under Model 1>Mesh 1 right-click Edge 1 and choose
Size.
2 In the Size settings window, locate the Element Size section.
3 Click the Custom button.
4 Locate the Element Size Parameters section. Select the Maximum element size check

box.
5 In the associated edit field, type L/20.

Size 2
1 Right-click Edge 1 and choose Size.
2 In the Size settings window, locate the Geometric Entity Selection section.
3 From the Geometric entity level list, choose Boundary.
4 Select Boundaries 1 and 2 only.
5 Locate the Element Size section. Click the Custom button.
6 Locate the Element Size Parameters section. Select the Maximum element size check

box.
7 In the associated edit field, type lambdaD/10.

Edge 1
Right-click Edge 1 and choose Build Selected.
STUDY 1

Solve the problem using a parametric sweep.

Parametric Sweep
1 In the Model Builder window, right-click Study 1 and choose Parametric Sweep.
2 In the Parametric Sweep settings window, locate the Study Settings section.
3 Click Add.

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4 In the table, enter the following settings:

Parameter names

Parameter value list

epsilon

0.001 0.01 0.1

5 In the Model Builder window, click Study 1.

6 In the Study settings window, locate the Study Settings section.
7 Clear the Generate default plots check box.
8 Click the Compute button.
RESULTS

Reproduce the figures from the Results and Discussion section in the following way:

1D Plot Group 1
1 In the Model Builder window, right-click Results and choose 1D Plot Group.
2 Right-click 1D Plot Group 1 and choose Line Graph.
3 Select Domain 1 only.
4 In the Line Graph settings window, locate the y-Axis Data section.
5 In the Expression edit field, type (cp+cm)/(2*cref).
6 Locate the x-Axis Data section. From the Parameter list, choose Expression.
7 In the Expression edit field, type x/L.
8 Click to expand the Legends section. Select the Show legends check box.
9 In the Model Builder window, click 1D Plot Group 1.
10 In the 1D Plot Group settings window, locate the Data section.
11 From the Data set list, choose Solution 2.
12 Click to expand the Title section. From the Title type list, choose Manual.
13 In the Title text area, type Dimensionless concentration.
14 Locate the Legend section. From the Position list, choose Lower right.
15 Click the Plot button.
16 Right-click 1D Plot Group 1 and choose Rename.
17 Go to the Rename 1D Plot Group dialog box and type Dimensionless
concentration in the New name edit field.

18 Click OK.

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Dimensionless concentration 1
1 Right-click 1D Plot Group 1 and choose Duplicate.
2 In the 1D Plot Group settings window, locate the Title section.
3 In the Title text area, type Dimensionless charge density.
4 Locate the Legend section. From the Position list, choose Upper right.
5 In the Model Builder window, expand the Dimensionless concentration 1 node, then

click Line Graph 1.

6 In the Line Graph settings window, locate the y-Axis Data section.
7 In the Expression edit field, type (cp-cm)/(2*cref).
8 Click the Plot button.
9 In the Model Builder window, right-click Dimensionless concentration 1 and choose
Rename.
10 Go to the Rename 1D Plot Group dialog box and type Dimensionless charge
density in the New name edit field.

11 Click OK.

Dimensionless charge density 1

1 In the Model Builder window, under Results right-click Dimensionless charge density

and choose Duplicate.

2 In the 1D Plot Group settings window, locate the Title section.
3 In the Title text area, type Dimensionless potential.
4 Locate the Legend section. From the Position list, choose Lower right.
5 In the Model Builder window, expand the Dimensionless charge density 1 node, then

click Line Graph 1.

6 In the Line Graph settings window, locate the y-Axis Data section.
7 In the Expression edit field, type phi*Z*F_const/(R_const*T).
8 Click the Plot button.
9 In the Model Builder window, right-click Dimensionless charge density 1 and choose
Rename.
10 Go to the Rename 1D Plot Group dialog box and type Dimensionless potential

in the New name edit field.

11 Click OK.

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