THE CALIBRATION OF DIFFUSION MEMBRANES AND THE CALCULATION OF MOLECULAR VOLUMES FROM DIFFUSION COEFFICIENTS

Abstract

Evidence is given that the membrane method yields correct diffusion coefficients if salts are used in the calibration instead of HC1. The assumptions needed to get molecular volumes are discussed, and possible reasons for results differing from those by other methods are suggested. Without assumptions, diffusion data may be used to distinguish between non-electrolytes, am-photeric electrolytes and other electrolytes, to test homogeneity as to particle size or to test whether a material showing some sort of activity has actually been isolated.