Specific conductivity of electrolyte solutions versus the concentration

Abstract

    A theoretical model is presented to quantitatively describe the concentration dependence of the specific conductivity of electrolyte solutions. Below 0.4 M, the local electric generated by charged particles in the solution is similar to that in pure water. Thus, its viscosity is independent of the concentration, resulting in the linear dependence of the conductivity on the concentration. However, in the opposite limit, the local electric field is in the strong regime, leading to an increase in the viscosity with the increase in concentration. As a consequence, the specific conductivity depends nonlinearly on the concentration. Applying the model for sodium chloride solution, a quite good agreement between theoretical result and experimental data is obtained.