Ultrasonic Velocity and Thermoacoustic Parameters for Copper(I)
Nitrates in Dimethylsulfoxide with Pyridine as a Co-Solvent at 298 K
Authors: Kaur Manpreet , Pathania Vivek , Vermani Bal Krishan , Anand Veneeta , Gill Dip Singh 
Published: April 2022

Aim:
This study aimed to explore the ultrasonic velocity and thermoacoustic
parameters for copper(I) nitrates in dimethylsulfoxide with pyridine as a co-solvent at 298 K.

Background:
Ultrasonic velocity variation and related factors provide a plethora of information
regarding the acoustic behaviour of solutions. These studies help in understanding various kinds
of interactions like ionic interactions in electrolytic solutions, molecular interactions in liquidliquid
mixtures, and solute-solvent interactions.

Objective:
The objective of this study was to estimate the density (ρ) and ultrasonic velocity
(u) of copper (I) nitrate complexes in the concentration range of 0.02-0.28 m.Kg-1 in
dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), pyridine (Py), and binary mixtures of DMSO+Py having 0, 20, 40,
60, 80, and 100-mole percentage of Py at 298 K and 1 atmospheric pressure. The study also
aimed to determine the isentropic compressibility (κs) and apparent molal isentropic
compressibility (κs,ø ) (which is the degree of electrostatic force occurring in solution) of various
salts in the binary solvent mixtures using density values and ultrasonic velocities.

Methods:
Using long borosilicate glass tubes, the DSA 5000 M from Anton Parr was utilized to
measure the density and ultrasonic velocity at 298 K operating at a frequency of 2 MHz.

Results:
The apparent molal isentropic compressibility (κs,ø) of the electrolytes was divided into
the contributions of individual ions (κo
s,ø)±. As the composition of the co-solvent increases, the
(κo
s,ø)± values for Cu (I) ions fall, i.e., they become more negative in magnitude. The (κo
s,ø)± values
for Bu4N+, Ph4B-, ClO4
-, and NO3
- are positive but decrease as they move to Py-rich regions.
Strong structural effects due to interactions between solute-solute and solvent-solvent are indicated
by negative (κo
s,ø)± values. Thus, solvation increases in Py-rich regions. Furthermore,
thermoacoustic parameters were evaluated from the experimentally measured values. The results
were associated in terms of molecular interaction between the solute and the solvent, demonstrating
that solutes have the potential to break or make structures with solvents.

Conclusions:
Experimental measurements of density (ρ), and ultrasonic velocities (u) in
DMSO+Py at 298 K revealed that κo
sϕ value for the copper(I) nitrates like [Cu(AN)4]+,
[Cu(Phen)2]+ , [Cu(BN)4]+ [Cu(DMPhen)2]+ , [Cu(Bipy)2]+ , [Cu(TU)4]+, and the reference electrolyte
decreases (less positive) or becomes more negative as the mole percentage of co-solvent
increases. The κo
sϕ values were further split to find the value of individual ions. The (κo
s,ø)± values
for Bu4N+, Ph4B-, ClO4
-, and NO3
- are positive but also show a decreasing trend in Py-rich
regions. A negative (κo
s,ø)± value indicates the presence of strong structural effects in the solvent
mixture on the addition of electrolytes. Results show that solvation increases in Py-rich regions.
Further correlating acoustic parameters in terms of molecular interactions also favored trends in
the solvation behaviour of electrolytes. The increase in the value of Z depicts the formation of
the H bond, which results in strong solute-solute interactions. The values of κs and Lf decreased
as concentration increased for all the electrolytes, indicating a significant structure-forming tendency
of copper(I) electrolytes in Py-rich locations. The value of RA also increases as the composition
of the co-solvent increases, indicating stronger solvation behaviour in Py rich region. Lf
and τ decreased as concentration increased for all the electrolytes, indicating strong interactions
between the molecules of electrolytes with the solvent in Py-rich regions.