Elke K. F. Bahlmann, Robin K. Harris, Kenneth Metcalfe, Jeffrey W. Rockliffe and Edward G. Smith
For the first time, self-diffusion of silicate species in a highly condensed silicate solution has been investigated. Self-diffusion coefficients in the range of 5.8×10-11 m2 s-1 (for the Q4 units) to 1.9×10-10 m2 s-1 (for the Q1 units) were obtained. Upper limits to chemical-exchange rates between silicate units have been determined. The exchange processes are not fast enough to average the self-diffusion coefficients between the various units on the timescale of the relevant stimulated echo experiment, though they may reduce the observed differences in Dself.