Small angle neutron scattering and structural properties in electrolytic solutions

• Published in: Solid state communications Vol. 38; no. 9; pp. 827 - 830
• Main Authors: Maisano, G., Migliardo, P., Wanderlingh, F., Fontana, M.P., Bellissent-Funel, M.C., Roth, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.01.1981
• ISSN: 0038-1098; 1879-2766
• DOI: 10.1016/0038-1098(81)90305-7

A new direct indication concerning the structural properties of liquid systems is obtained for the first time. Small angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements have been performed on solutions of ZnCl 2, NiCl 2, CuBr 2 in D 2 O and in non aqueous solvent (EtOAc). The spectra, taken at room temperature, as a function of concentration, in the range 0.019 ⩽ K ⩽ 0.25 ( A ̊ −1) show in aqueous solvent an “abnormal” k-dependent small angle coherent cross section. This anomalous contribution clearly indicates the existence in the systems of correlated regions (∼ 30 Å) perhaps connected through a preferred distance of ∼ 50 Å. Also in pure water the results seem to indicate the existence of correlated regions of finite size.