The structure of some models for aqueous nickel chloride solutions in the high concentration range

Abstract

The Monte Carlo method has been applied to a charged soft-sphere model for the ions in aqueous NiCl₂ to calculate the Ni-Ni partial structure factor. For some of the models investigated, the wave vector location k₀ of the first peak in the partial structure factor is given closely by the equation k_o = 2πp+^1/3, where p+ is the particle number density of the Ni²⁺ ions. This is the behaviour that has been found experimentally by Enderby and coworkers and that has been interpreted in terms of a 'quasilattice' structure in the solutions. The present results indicate that rather general and non-specific structural features are sufficient to account for the experimental data.