Nonisothermal matter transport in sodium chloride and potassium chloride aqueous solutions. 1. Homogeneous system (thermal diffusion)

Thermal diffusion of sodium chloride and potassium chloride aqueous solutions exhibits anomalous behavior in solute-specific concentration and temperature ranges. An accurate analysis is presented showing that these results are not instrumental artifacts. A physical interpretation of the experimental results is advanced, within the frame of reference of the radiation-pressure theory of thermal diffusion. Current ideas on the structure of electrolytic solutions can be fruitfully used, within the proposed approach, to describe some important thermodynamic parameters in terms of molecular organization in the liquid phase. 7 figures, 2 tables.