Change in Physical Properties of Motionally Unperturbed Dilute Aqueous Solutions
Ivan L. Cameron
Email: cameron@uthscsa.edu
Cellular and Structural Biology Department, The University of Texas Health Series Center at San Antonio, TX 78231
Keywords: water thixotropy, viscosity, conductivity, ions, hydrophilic surfaces, laser light scattering, luminescence, ultraviolet absorption
July 7, 2017; Revised: January 4, 2018; Accepted: January 4, 2018; Published: March 30, 2018; Available Online: March 30, 2018
Abstract
This is a brief review on changes that occur when dilute aqueous solutions are left standing, motionally unperturbed, in a glass storage container from hours to days. This results in an increase in solution viscosity termed thixotropy. Agitation quickly reduces the viscous weak gel-like state back to its original less viscous state. Other changes include increases in electrical conductivity, laser light scattering, luminescence, and UV adsorption. Both the presence of ions and hydrophilic surface have been shown to be factors in the thixotropic phenomenon of water. It is proposed that a supramolecular structure of water develops from minutes to weeks then reaches a plateau. Biological implications are briefly mentioned.