Equilibrium model for the interpretation of the conduction properties of metal–ammonia solutions

Abstract

The electrical conductivity of metal–ammonia solutions can be described by an equilibrium of solvated electrons of low mobility and of free electrons of high mobility. With proper choice of the equilibrium constant and its temperature and pressure dependence and of the solvation number of the solvated species the experimental conductivities can be matched in the temperature and pressure range from 240 to 420 K and up to 1000 bar over the entire concentration range from 0.1 mol/ℓ to saturation, also fitting the extrema of the temperature and pressure coefficients of the conductivity around 1 mol/ℓ.