Self-diffusion coefficients of the trivalent f-element ion series in dilute and moderately dilute aqueous solutions: A comparative study between europium, gadolinium, terbium and berkelium

Abstract

We have continued the studies on the trivalent ions of the 4f and 5f elements. In this paper, we compare the transport properties (self-diffusion coefficient) of the trivalent aquo ions over two ranges of concentrations (0 - 2×10-3M) and (2×10-3 - 1.5M). Self-diffusion coefficients, D, of the trivalent f-element aquo ion series have been determined in aqueous background electrolytes of Gd(NO3)3 and Nd(ClO4)3, at pH=2.5 (HNO3, HClO4) and at 25°C using the open-end capillary method (O.E.C.M.). This method measures the transportation time of ions across a fixed distance. In this paper, we complete a measurement of self-diffusion coefficient for terbium. We optimized the pH to avoid hydrolysis, ion-pairing and complexation of the trivalent 4f and 5f ions. The variation of D versus C is not linear for dilute solutions (0 - 2×10-3M) and quasi-linear in moderate concentrations (C≤1.5 M). Similar behavior was observed for Tb, as compared with those for Bk, Eu and Gd. We complete the comparison variation of D/D° versus √C for all studied 4f and 5f elements from concentration 0 to 1.5M and we obtained the same variation with √C for all studied elements. All 4f and 5f elements studied follow the Nernst-Hartley expression. © 2010 IOP Publishing Ltd.