Concentration and temperature dependence of the refractive index of ethanol-water mixtures: influence of intermolecular interactions

Eur Phys J E Soft Matter. 2009 Sep;30(1):19-26. doi: 10.1140/epje/i2009-10496-4.

Abstract

The temperature and concentration dependence of the refractive index, nD(x, T), in ethanol-water mixtures agrees with previous data in the ethanol-rich concentration range. The refractive index versus concentration x determined at 20 degrees C shows the expected maximum at about 41 mol% water (22 mass% water). The temperature derivative of the refractive index, dnD/dT, shows anomalies at lower water concentrations at about 10 mol% water but no anomaly at 41 mol% water. Both anomalies are related to intermolecular interactions, the one in nD seems to be due to molecular segregation and cluster formation while the origin of the second one in dnD/dT is still not clear.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Computer Simulation
  • Ethanol / chemistry*
  • Models, Chemical
  • Refractometry*
  • Solutions / chemistry
  • Temperature*
  • Water / chemistry*

Substances

  • Solutions
  • Water
  • Ethanol