Fig. 2.

(A and B) PMFs between like charges (A) M⁺ – M⁺ and (B) M⁻ – M⁻ at various z locations in the interfacial region. For reference, we set the PMF profile in each z plane to zero at $r=1.2\mathrm{nm}$. The effective repulsion between like-charged ions is not enhanced. In fact, ion–ion interactions can become attractive on the vapor side as indicated by PMFs for $z<0$.