Relationship between molecular orientation and conductivity of dielectric liquids dissolving restrained water

The state of water clusters dissolved in dielectric liquids has been studied using an IR spectrum method. Especially, the effect of water clusters on electrical conductivity is measured together with temperature dependence. In this experiment, dielectric liquids, such as nitrobenzene, benzonitrile and methylbenzoate, which are connected to an electron acceptor base, are used. From the results, it is found that the electrical conductivity of liquids increases linearly with temperature in the case of dry liquids, while in the case of liquids dissolved in water, the temperature dependence of the electrical conductivity decreases gradually with increasing water. The activation energy of liquids is inversely proportional to the amount of water. Furthermore at high temperature, the electrical conductivity does not tend to increase with dissolved water. According to the IR spectrum analysis, the large water cluster is broken by thermal energy at high temperature, while the small water cluster remains over 100/spl deg/C. Finally, it is suggested that small water clusters may not contribute to conduction at high temperature.