Structural interaction leading to volumetric changes in aqueous solutions of nitrates of rubidium, cesium, strontium, yttrium, and gallium at different temperatures

Abstract

Densities of the aqueous dilute solutions of rubidium, cesium, strontium, yttrium, and gallium nitrate were measured at different temperatures ranging from (293.15–343.15) K and atmospheric pressure. From these density values, the apparent molal volumes were calculated and fitted to Masson’s correlation and the temperature dependence was correlated by a second order polynomial. The apparent molal volumes at infinite dilution and experimental slopes have been interpreted in terms of ion–solvent and ion–ion interactions, respectively. The measurements include density as per ASTM D-4052, refractive index (nD25) at sodium D line at 25 °C. Thermal isobaric expansibility was calculated and structure making and structure breaking behaviour of electrolytes were inferred from the sign of the second derivative of apparent molal volumes with respect to temperature at constant pressure. The experimental apparent molal volume was compared with the available literature value.