Apparent fractionation of isotopes in moderately cooled argon

TL;DR

This study investigates isotope fractionation in argon near its condensation point using mass spectrometry, modeling, and DFT, revealing temperature-dependent clustering and phase change effects on isotope separation.

Contribution

It combines experimental, numerical, and theoretical approaches to elucidate isotope fractionation mechanisms in argon during cooling and phase transitions.

Findings

Isotope fractionation increases below the condensation temperature.

Cluster formation influences isotope separation during cooling.

Preferential freezing out of 40Ar occurs due to kinetic factors.

Abstract

The fractionation of isotopes of natural Ar near the condensation (Tc) and freezing point has been studied using mass spectrometry (MS), numerical modeling and density functional theory. The heat of formation of 0.30, 0.52 and 0.70 kJ per Ar atom of the clusters Ar2, Ar3 and Ar4, respectively, shows the tendency of Ar to clusterization. At T > Tc apparent separation coefficients {\alpha}40 = 0.80, {\alpha}38 = 1.07 and {\alpha}36 = 1.28 for 40Ar, 38Ar and 36Ar, respectively, are caused by the formation of dimers, which absence during the MS analysis at room temperature indicates their retention in the cryostat. At T < Tc, fractionation increases ({\alpha}40 = 0.56, {\alpha}38 = 2.24 and {\alpha}36 = 1.67) due to a difference of 170-520 J/mol between the heat of condensation and dissolution of 38Ar and 36Ar in 40Ar condensate. The formation of a solid phase occurs with preferential freezing out of 40Ar ({\alpha}40 = 0.69, {\alpha}38 = 1.57 and {\alpha}36 = 1.42) for kinetic reasons.