Tracer diffusion of Co2+ ions in multielectrolyte systems: Activation energy and obstruction effect

The activation energy for the tracer diffusion of Co²⁺ ions in multielectrolyte systems containing alkali bromides has been determined in agar gel medium over the temperature range of 25–45°C. The decrease in the value of the Arrhenius parameters, E and D_o, with gel percentage is explained on the basis of the transition state theory. Further, studies of the influence of electrolyte concentration on activation energy and obstruction effect reveal that both parameters decrease with the former. The decrease in activation energy is explained by considering the changes in physical properties of the solution with concentration at microscopic level, while the decrease in the extent of obstruction effect is attributed to competitive hydration between ions and agar molecules in a diffusion system.