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# Diffusion potential of autoionization in adsorbate-liquid interfaces
The diffusion potential at interfaces has been studied for interfaces between metals, fluids and gases for 250 years. Many words have been used to describe the effect. It was first called "adhesive electricity" (Bennet, 1789), then "contact tension" (Volta, 1800), "contact force" (Helmholtz, 1847), "potential difference" (Nernst, 1889; Planck, 1890), "contact electricity" (Kelvin, 1898), and the now popular term "diffuion potential" was coined in 1922 by Michaelis (Michaelis, 1922). The effect is the basis of the membrane potential in cell biology (Bernstein, 1902), and the basis of the transistor (Shockley, 1949). What has not yet been studied or understood is the effect at adsorbate-liquid interfaces. The effect occurs if autoionization can occur between the two phases and there is asymmetry in how mobile the ion are. The effect is strongest when one ion is immobile.