Tracer-diffusion of Zn2+ ions in cobalt sulphate

Tracer-diffusion of Zn²⁺ ions in the presence of CoSO₄ is studied at 25°C in 1% agar gel over a concentration range of 10^–5 to 0.25M using a zone-diffusion technique. The deviations observed between experimental and theoretical values of diffusion coefficients are explained by considering different types of interactions occurring in the ion-gel-water system. Further, study of the obstruction, effect in the diffusion of Zn²⁺ ions at different concentrations of CoSO₄ reveals that the -value decreases with increasing concentration of the electrolyte. This observation is accounted on the basis of competitive hydration between ions and agar molecules.