Incoherent quasielastic neutron scattering from H₂O and aqueous ZnCl₂solutions

Abstract

A study of the diffusive motions of the protons in pure water and ZnCl2 aqueous solutions has been performed, using incoherent quasielastic neutron scattering. It is shown that it is essential to take into account the rotational motion of the water molecules. The translational linewidth is conveniently fitted over the whole Q-range, using the Random Jump Diffusion model for which the jump length turns out to be roughly the same for pure H2O and the saturated solution, fairly close to the distance between protons in the water molecule.