Solute-Solvent Interaction in Aqueous Solutions Studied by Optical Kerr Effect

Abstract

Solute-solvent interactions were studied by a method based on laser induced optical birefringence in aqueous solutions. The paper reports results of the optical Kerr constant measurements for binary liquid mixtures of aqueous solution of methanol, ethanol, n-propanol and acetone at room temperature in a wide range of concentrations. At 50% concentration of the above mentioned alcohols, the temperature dependence of the laser induced optical birefringence was also measured in the range from 283 K to 315 K. These data together with the density and refractive index were used to calculate the optical and specific Kerr constants. Moreover, these data enabled the calculation of the anisotropic factors, optical anisotropy and orientation function of the substances studied.

Optically induced birefringence in a series of analogous diols

“…According to the OKE theory, [11][12][13] such a character of the temperature dependence of the molar Kerr constant testifies to a change in the nature of molecular interactions in the substances studied. As follows from our earlier OKE studies in dilute solutions 22 and in particular in the gas phase 23 in media made of anisotropic molecules, the OKE is greatest when the molecular interactions are weak. An increase in these interactions leads to a decrease of the effective anisotropy of molecular ensembles, which is more pronounced the greater the number of molecules in the ensemble.…”