Diffusion of manganese ions in agar gel containing alkali metal chlorides

The obstruction effect for tracer-diffusion of Mn2+ ions in the presence of different supporting electrolytes (LiCl, NaCl, KCl, CsCl) at various conce ntrations has been studied at 25 degrees C using the zone diffusion techniq ue. It has been observed that the obstruction effect determined in terms of alpha increases with concentration of the electrolyte. Further, for a give n concentration it is found to decrease with increasing charge density of t he cation. We also report here on the effect of temperature on obstruction and found that is constant over the temperature range studied (25-45 degree s C). These observations are explained on the basis of competitive hydratio n between ions and agar macromolecules.