Electroviscous effects of simple electrolytes under shear

On the basis of a hydrodynamical model analogous to that in critical fluids, we investigate the influences of shear flow upon the electrostatic contribution to the viscosity of binary electrolyte solutions in the Debye-Hückel approximation. Within the linear-response theory, we reproduce the classical limiting law that the excess viscosity is proportional to the square root of the concentration of the electrolyte. We also extend this result for finite shear. An analytic expression of the anisotropic structure factor of the charge density under shear is obtained, and its deformation at large shear rates is discussed. A non-Newtonian effect caused by deformations of the ionic atmosphere is also elucidated for τDγ̇ > 1. This finding concludes that the maximum shear stress that the ionic atmosphere can support is proportional to λ D , where γ̇, λD and τD = λ 2 D /D are, respectively, the shear rate, the Debye screening length and the Debye relaxation time withD being the relative diffusivity at the infinite dilution limit of the electrolyte. § To whom correspondence should be addressed ([email protected]) Electroviscous effects of simple electrolytes under shear 2