Neutron diffraction methods applied to aqueous solutions

Results of neutron diffraction studies are presented and discussed for a variety of aqueous electrolyte solutions. Attention is focused on the ion-water and ion-ion structures, which are directly determined from the first- and second-order isotopic difference methods, respectively. A systematic survey is given of the coordinating properties of several ionic species including some of the alkalis, the transition metals, and numerous others. Such information is useful in providing (i) a clearer picture of the relative hydrating strengths of ions and (ii) a quantitative experimental test of results from theoretical calculations and computer simulations of models. Although most work has been carried out under ambient conditions, they make reference to a few investigations at elevated pressure and draw attention to the particular strengths of neutron-diffraction techniques when working at both high pressure and high temperature