Limiting Conductivities of Strong Acids and Bases in D2O and H2O: Deuterium Isotope Effects on Proton Hopping over a Wide Temperature Range

The molar conductivity (Lambda degrees) of hydrochloric acid, potassium hydroxide, and sodium hydroxide has been measured in both light and heavy waters from 298 to 598 K at p = 20 MPa using a high-precision flow-through alternating current (AC) conductance instrument. The results were used to explore the deuterium isotope effect on ionic transport by proton hopping mechanisms under hydrothermal conditions. Extrapolations of published transport number data to elevated temperature were used to calculate the individual ionic contributions (lambda degrees) for H3O+, D3O+, OH-, and OD-, from which the excess molar conductivities due to proton hopping were calculated. These are the first reported values for the excess conductivities for D3O+ and OD- at temperatures above 318 K. The excess conductivities indicate a strong deuterium isotope effect whereby the transport of D3O+ by proton hopping is reduced by similar to 33% relative to H3O+, and OD- is reduced by over 60% relative to OH, over the entire temperature range. A well-defined maximum in the excess conductivities of D3O+ and H3O+ at similar to 420 K suggests that the Eigen cation (H2O)(4)H+ and the Zundel transition-state cation (H2O)(2)H+ are destabilized at elevated temperatures as the three-dimensional, tetrahedrally hydrogen-bonded networks in water break down. The less pronounced maximum for OD- and OH- suggested that their Eigen and Zundel anions, (H2O)(3)OH- and (H2O)OH-, are less destabilized in the two-dimensional networks and chains that dominate the structure of liquid water under these conditions.

Automated summary

This study measured the molar conductivity of hydrochloric acid, potassium hydroxide, and sodium hydroxide in both light and heavy waters under high temperature and pressure conditions. The effects of deuterium isotope on proton transport were investigated, showing a significant reduction in the transport of D3O+ compared to H3O+. The results provide insights into the proton hopping mechanisms and the destabilization of water structure at elevated temperatures.