The anomalous Einstein-stokes behaviour of oxygen and other low molecular weight diffusants

Abstract

Almost a century ago, Einstein and Sutherland independently derived equations that describe the relationship between diffusion of solutes and the molecular parameters of those solutes. In that time it has been recognized that, although the equations adequately describe the diffusion of large and medium-sized molecules, there is deviation from this relationship for small molecules. Many authors have attempted to redefine the equations for diffusion, with varying degrees of success, but generally have not attempted to consider the fundamental events that may be occurring at the molecular level during the diffusion of small molecules. In this presentation, we attempt to provide such an explanation, particularly with respect to the diffusion of oxygen through water. We consider the possibility of a random rotational model that complements the (slower) translational process of traditional diffusion and thereby provides accelerated diffusion of small molecules. It is hoped that our description of this model may provide a basis for the development of mathematical modelling of the process.