Effect of supporting electrolyte on obstruction effect and activation energy for the tracer diffusion of cobalt ions in agar gel

The effect of some alkali metal chlorides on obstruction effect (α) and activation energy (E) for the tracer-diffusion of cobalt ions is studied in agar gel medium using the zone-diffusion technique. It is observed that both α and E decrease with increasing charge density of cation of the supporting electrolyte. This trend is explained on the basis of compatitive hydration between ions and agar molecules and the relative distortion in the water structure brought about by these ions and agar molecules, respectively. (author)