Nuclear Spin–Lattice Relaxation in LiCl Solutions

Abstract

The concentration dependence of the 7Li and 2H relaxation rates in aqueous lithium chloride solutions gives insight into the structure of this electrolyte solution. An abrupt change in the relaxation rates at a concentration which we call the “break point” indicates that the solutions have a different structure above and below this break-point concentration. Below the break point, the evidence suggests that the Li+ ion is surrounded by a symmetric hydration “complex,” where the lithium–oxygen nuclear separation is approximately 1.74 Å.