HYDROGEN-BOND STRUCTURE IN AN AQUEOUS-SOLUTION OF SODIUM-CHLORIDE AT SUBCRITICAL AND SUPERCRITICAL CONDITIONS

The method of neutron diffraction and isotopic substitution was used t o determine the hydrogen-bond structure as defined by g(OH)(r) in a 1 m aqueous electrolyte solution of sodium chloride at two thermodynamic states, one subcritical with T=300 degrees C and P=120 bar, and the o ther supercritical T=460 degrees C and P=800 bar (the critical tempera ture oi 1 m sodium chloride is 425 degrees C). The results are similar to those found in pure water substance, and confirm the progressive d isruption of the hydrogen bond network brought about by an increase in temperature. (C) 1997 American Institute of Physics. [S0021-9606(97)5 0844-0].