On the possibility of enrichment of H2O nuclear spin isomers by adsorption

Abstract

Experimental data on the enrichment of H2O nuclear spin isomers by means of adsorption, as suggested in several works by other authors, are reported. We were unable to observe any enrichment of isomers. The conclusion was drawn that the adsorption characteristics of water ortho and para isomers were insignificantly different. An analysis of the relaxation of H2O spin isomers induced by the intramolecular mixing of the molecular ortho and para spin states and caused by collisions with paramagnetic oxygen molecules was performed.