Proton and Deuteron Mobility in Normal and Heavy Water Solutions of Electrolytes

Abstract

Proton and deuteron mobility in normal and heavy water solutions of some alkali halides (NaCl, KCI, KBr and KI) and tetra-alkylammonium bromides (where alkyl is Me, Et, Pr or Bu) is measured polarographically and the diffusion coefficients calculated from a corrected Ilkovic equation. The results are analysed in terms of the effect of electrolyte concentration on the excess or Grotthuss mobility of the hydrogen and deuterium ion. The results raise some questions about the accepted mechanism for the transport of the proton and deuteron in solution.