Debye solutions

Debye-Hiickel theory The activity coefficient of an electrolyte depends markedly upon concentration. Jn dilute solutions, due to the Coulombic forces of attraction and repulsion, the ions tend to surround themselves with an atmosphere of oppositely charged ions. Debye and Hiickel showed that it was possible to explain the abnormal activity coefficients at least for very dilute solutions of electrolytes. 

For dilute solutions, the Debye-Huckel equation by calculations based on these Coulombic interactions is... 

The situation for electrolyte solutions is more complex theory confimis the limiting expressions (originally from Debye-Htickel theory), but, because of the long-range interactions, the resulting equations are non-analytic rather than simple power series.) It is evident that electrolyte solutions are ideally dilute only at extremely low concentrations. Further details about these activity coefficients will be found in other articles. 

The solution detennines c(r) inside the hard core from which g(r) outside this core is obtained via the Omstein-Zemike relation. For hard spheres, the approximation is identical to tire PY approximation. Analytic solutions have been obtained for hard spheres, charged hard spheres, dipolar hard spheres and for particles interacting witli the Yukawa potential. The MS approximation for point charges (charged hard spheres in the limit of zero size) yields the Debye-Fluckel limiting law distribution fiinction. 

The Debye-Htickel limiting law predicts a square-root dependence on the ionic strength/= MTLcz of the logarithm of the mean activity coefficient (log y ), tire heat of dilution (E /VI) and the excess volume it is considered to be an exact expression for the behaviour of an electrolyte at infinite dilution. Some experimental results for the activity coefficients and heats of dilution are shown in figure A2.3.11 for aqueous solutions of NaCl and ZnSO at 25°C the results are typical of the observations for 1-1 (e.g.NaCl) and 2-2 (e.g. ZnSO ) aqueous electrolyte solutions at this temperature. 

Figure A2.3.11 The mean aetivity eoeffieients and heats of dilution of NaCl and ZnSO in aqueous solution at 25°C as a fiinotion of z zjV I, where / is the ionie strength. DHLL = Debye-Htiekel limiting law.

Diflfiision-controlled reactions between ions in solution are strongly influenced by the Coulomb interaction accelerating or retarding ion diffiision. In this case, die dififiision equation for p concerning motion of one reactant about the other stationary reactant, the Debye-Smoluchowski equation. 

The above approximation, however, is valid only for dilute solutions and with assemblies of molecules of similar structure. In the event that concentration is high where intemiolecular interactions are very strong, or the system contains a less defined morphology, a different data analysis approach must be taken. One such approach was derived by Debye et al [21]. They have shown tliat for a random two-phase system with sharp boundaries, the correlation fiinction may carry an exponential fomi. 

Table C2.6.4 Debye screening lengtli k for aqueous solutions of a 1-1 electrolyte at 298 K (equation (C2.6.7)).

Huckel was a German physi cal chemist Before his theo retical studies of aromaticity Huckel collaborated with Peter Debye in developing what remains the most widely accepted theory of electrolyte solutions... 

For gases, pure solids, pure liquids, and nonionic solutes, activity coefficients are approximately unity under most reasonable experimental conditions. For reactions involving only these species, differences between activity and concentration are negligible. Activity coefficients for ionic solutes, however, depend on the ionic composition of the solution. It is possible, using the extended Debye-Htickel theory, to calculate activity coefficients using equation 6.50... 

See any standard textbook on physical chemistry for more information on the Debye-Htickel theory and its application to solution equilibrium... 

The segmental friction factor introduced in the derivation of the Debye viscosity equation is an important quantity. It will continue to play a role in the discussion of entanglement effects in the theory of viscoelasticity in the next chapter, and again in Chap. 9 in connection with solution viscosity. Now that we have an idea of the magnitude of this parameter, let us examine the range of values it takes on. 

In applying the Debye theory to concentrated solutions, we must extrapolate the results measured at different concentrations to C2 = 0 to eliminate the effects of solute-solute interactions. 

Using the original Hc2/r values, recalculate M using the various refractive index gradients. On the basis of self-consistency, estimate the molecular weight of this polymer and select the best value of dn/dc2 in each solvent. Criticize or defend the following proposition Since the extension of the Debye theory to large particles requires that the difference between n for solute and solvent be small, this difference should routinely be minimized for best results. 

A finite time is required to reestabUsh the ion atmosphere at any new location. Thus the ion atmosphere produces a drag on the ions in motion and restricts their freedom of movement. This is termed a relaxation effect. When a negative ion moves under the influence of an electric field, it travels against the flow of positive ions and solvent moving in the opposite direction. This is termed an electrophoretic effect. The Debye-Huckel theory combines both effects to calculate the behavior of electrolytes. The theory predicts the behavior of dilute (<0.05 molal) solutions but does not portray accurately the behavior of concentrated solutions found in practical batteries. 

Battery electrolytes are concentrated solutions of strong electrolytes and the Debye-Huckel theory of dilute solutions is only an approximation. Typical values for the resistivity of battery electrolytes range from about 1 ohmcm for sulfuric acid [7664-93-9] H2SO4, in lead—acid batteries and for potassium hydroxide [1310-58-3] KOH, in alkaline cells to about 100 ohmcm for organic electrolytes in lithium [7439-93-2] Li, batteries. 

The region of the gradual potential drop from the Helmholtz layer into the bulk of the solution is called the Gouy or diffuse layer (29,30). The Gouy layer has similar characteristics to the ion atmosphere from electrolyte theory. This layer has an almost exponential decay of potential with increasing distance. The thickness of the diffuse layer may be approximated by the Debye length of the electrolyte. 

It is shown that solute atoms differing in size from those of the solvent (carbon, in fact) can relieve hydrostatic stresses in a crystal and will thus migrate to the regions where they can relieve the most stress. As a result they will cluster round dislocations forming atmospheres similar to the ionic atmospheres of the Debye- Huckel theory ofeleeti oly tes. The conditions of formation and properties of these atmospheres are examined and the theory is applied to problems of precipitation, creep and the yield point."... 

Selecting the values of the parameters for the calculations we have in mind a 1 1 aqueous 1 m solution at a room temperature for which the Debye length is 0.3 nm. We assume that the non-local term has the same characteristic length, leading to b=. For the adsorption potential parameter h we select its value so that it has a similar value to the other contributions to the Hamiltonian. To illustrate, a wall potential with h = 1 corresponds to a square well 0.1 nm wide and 3.0 kT high or, conversely, a 3.0 nm wide square well of height 1.0 kT. 

The three properties e, p., and / m are related. One way to determine p. is by means of measurements of the dielectric constant of dilute solutions of the molecule in an inert solvent. Equation (8-6) was derived by Debye. ... 

Incomplete Dissociation into Free Ions. As is well known, there are many substances which behave as a strong electrolyte when dissolved in one solvent, but as a weak electrolyte when dissolved in another solvent. In any solvent the Debye-IIiickel-Onsager theory predicts how the ions of a solute should behave in an applied electric field, if the solute is completely dissociated into free ions. When we wish to survey the electrical conductivity of those solutes which (in certain solvents) behave as weak electrolytes, we have to ask, in each case, the question posed in Sec. 20 in this solution is it true that, at any moment, every ion responds to the applied electric field in the way predicted by the Debye-Hiickel theory, or does a certain fraction of the solute fail to respond to the field in this way In cases where it is true that, at any moment, a certain fraction of the solute fails to contribute to the conductivity, we have to ask the further question is this failure due to the presence of short-range forces of attraction, or can it be due merely to the presence of strong electrostatic forces ... 

In an aqueous solution at 25°C containing c moles/liter of a uni-univalont solute the value of dx according to Debye-HUckel theory is given by dx/kT —1.02 fc. 

In Fig. 69 we have been considering a pair of solute particles in pure solvent. We shall postpone further discussion of this question until later. In the meantime we shall review the Coulomb forces in very dilute ionic solutions as they are treated in the Debye-Hiickel theory. 

Let us now consider a pair of ions in aqueous solution from such a crystal. In the Debye-Hilckel theory it is assumed that in pure solvent, the mutual potential energy is — e2/ r, where e is the macroscopic dielectric constant of the solvent,2 until the ions come into contact with each... 

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