Nuclear Spin–Lattice Relaxation in LiCl Solutions

Abstract

The concentration dependence of the ⁷Li and ²H relaxation rates in aqueous lithium chloride solutions gives insight into the structure of this electrolyte solution. An abrupt change in the relaxation rates at a concentration which we call the “break point” indicates that the solutions have a different structure above and below this break‐point concentration. Below the break point, the evidence suggests that the Li⁺ ion is surrounded by a symmetric hydration “complex,” where the lithium–oxygen nuclear separation is approximately 1.74 Å.