Diffusion in Glycerol-Water Mixture

Abstract

Diffusion studies of glycerol in glycerol-water mixtures ranging from zero to 93% glycerol were carried out using the microinterferometric method. For higher concentration of glycerol the diffusion coefficient decreases strongly with increasing concentration and the diffusion curves are highly skewed. Applying thermodynamic and hydrodynamic correction obtained from vapor pressure measurements and solution viscosities, respectively, the diffusion coefficient was found to be sensibly independent of glycerol concentration up to about 70% after which it rises. The increased mobility at very high glycerol concentrations is attributed to a decreased hydration of the glycerol molecules under these conditions.