Direct spectroscopic measurement and theoretical modeling of the diffusion of a single species in a two-phase unstirred system

Abstract

The diffusion of 8-hydroxyquinoline from an aqueous phase into an organic phase and vice versa has been measured using a static transfer cell. The total change in concentration in either phase can be accurately predicted by considering one-dimensional diffusion in the plane normal to the oil/water interface. It was found that any turbulent mixing that occurs during the initiation of the experiment dies out in the first few minutes. The relevance of this technique to the study of metal ion extraction from an aqueous phase into an organic phase is discussed.