Recent progress in the theory of the electric double layer

Recent progress in the theory of the electric double layer is surveyed briefly. It is concluded that the Gouy-Chapman-Stern treatment of the diffuse double layer, although fairly good, differs significantly from recent computer simulation studies. However, some recent theories, such as the hypernetted chain, the modified Poisson-Boltzmann, and the Born-Green-Yvon approximations, are in satisfactory agreement with the simulations. This survey concludes with a microscopic treatment of the solvent contributions to the double layer. © 1983.