Electrical oscillation at a water/octanol interface in a hydrophobic container

Ling’s Adsorption Theory as a Mechanism of Membrane Potential Generation Observed in Both Living and Nonliving Systems

“…Potential oscillation between various two electrolytic solutions has been observed and analyzed by a number of research groups up to date [ 33 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 ]. Although the oscillation mechanism has not been fully elucidated yet, the occurrence of potential oscillation sometimes is attributed to the transmembrane ion transfer between two electrolytic solutions just like indicated by the concept of GHK equation [ 33 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 ]. If not fully attributed to the ion transfer, it has been believed that the ion transfer between two electrolytic solutions plays a role of potential oscillation induction to some extent.…”

“…Potential oscillation mechanism we proposed is basically same as the widely and currently accepted mechanism [ 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 ]. It suggests that the ion transfer between two aqueous solutions across the membrane is not needed at all for the generation of oscillating potential (action potential-like potential), and potential oscillation is caused merely by the mobile ion adsorption-desorption process occurring at the surface of surfactant monolayer, and that mechanism is basically within the concept of Ling’s adsorption theory [ 1 , 7 ].…”

“…The experimental systems they used did not contain any biological material unlike Fox's. However, Yoshikawa et al observed continuous generation of action potential-like potential [ 33 , 34 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 41 , 42 ], and other research groups also observed similar phenomena [ 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 ]. Yoshikawa et al did not seem to have so strong interest in pursuing the physiological meaning of their observations.…”

“…Therefore, it is quite natural to believe that the action potential is not observed in the artificial system having neither ion channels nor pumps. Contrary to such a quite natural thought, action potential-like potential has been repeatedly observed in the artificial systems in which no ion channels or pumps were embedded [ 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 ].…”

Time-resolved quasi-elastic laser scattering study demonstrating heterogeneity of interfacial tension at the water/nitrobenzene interface after introduction of sodium alkylsulfate

“…The presence of the LiCl influenced the nonequilibrium dynamics of LS ions during the recovery of the interfacial tension; namely, the electrolyte suppressed the diffusion of the LS ions immediately after local adsorption at the contact site and led to the restoration of homogeneous interfacial tension. Note that the conventional electrochemical analysis [26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35], in which the electrolytes in the aqueous and organic phases are necessary, cannot elucidate such a two-step recovery behavior in the presence of the electrolyte.…”