Diffusion Coefficients

The rates that substances spread by diffusion are quantifed as diffusion coefficients. Diffusion coefficients in aqueous solution vary as a function of molecular size and as a function of temperature. These relationships were reviewed by Hobbie (1978) Intermediate Physics for Medicine and Biology, Wiley Press.

Dependence on Molecular Size

The red symbols show diffusion coefficients for the substances listed in the table below according to their formula weight. Where coefficients were measured at other temperatures they have been corrected to 37 degrees, taking into account the combined effects of temperature and the change of viscosity of water. (Hobbie, 1978) The blue line is the relationship determined by Hobbie (1978) which is incorporated into the fluids simulator, whereby D is calculated based on an entered formula weight for a substance.

Listing of Diffusion Coefficients

We will add diffusion coefficients for commonly-used solutes as they become available. If you find values elsewhere that would be appropriate to add to this listing then please send them by e-mail to salta@msnotes.wustl.edu

Chemical Diffusion Coefficients
x 10-5 cm2/s
OR x 10-9 m2/s
all corrected to 37 degrees C
Formula Weight
(Da)
Comment
Alpha napthalene
sulfonate
0.76 207.3 Nicolson & Phillips (1981) J. Physiol 321, 225
Arsenic hexafluoride
(AsF6)
1.4 188.8 Nicolson & Phillips (1981) J. Physiol 321, 225
CaCl2 1.49 110.8 Handbook of Chemistry & Physics, CRC press
Citric acid 0.885 192.1 Handbook of Chemistry & Physics, CRC press
Dexamethasone 0.770 392.5 Based on FW
Fluorescein 0.7827 376 Based on FW
Glucose 0.98 180 Hobbie (1978) Intermediate Physics for Advance Biology, Wiley press
Glucose 0.9 180 Handbook of Chemistry & Physics, CRC press
Glucose (average) 0.94
Glycine 1.43 132.1 Handbook of Chemistry & Physics, CRC press
Haemoglobin 0.1 64K Hobbie (1978) Intermediate Physics for Advance Biology, Wiley press
Inulin 0.28 7K Hobbie (1978) Intermediate Physics for Advance Biology, Wiley press
KCl 2.47 74.5 Handbook of Chemistry & Physics, CRC press
LiCl 1.7 42.4 Handbook of Chemistry & Physics, CRC press
Mannitol 0.9 182.2 Hobbie (1978) Intermediate Physics for Advance Biology, Wiley press
Mannitol 0.91 182.2 Handbook of Chemistry & Physics, CRC press
Mannitol (average) 0.905
Methylprednisolone 0.784 374.5 Based on FW
NaCl 1.99 58.4 Handbook of Chemistry & Physics, CRC press
Oxygen 1.5 32 Hobbie (1978) Intermediate Physics for Advance Biology, Wiley press
Prednisolone 0.795 360.5 Based on FW
Raffinose 0.59 595 Hobbie (1978) Intermediate Physics for Advance Biology, Wiley press
Raffinose 0.58 595 Handbook of Chemistry & Physics, CRC press
Raffinose (average) 0.585
Ribonuclease 0.18 14K Hobbie (1978) Intermediate Physics for Advance Biology, Wiley press
Sucrose 0.71 342 Hobbie (1978) Intermediate Physics for Advance Biology, Wiley press
Sucrose 0.7 342 Handbook of Chemistry & Physics, CRC press
Sucrose (average) 0.705
Tetraethyl-
ammonium (TEA)
1.32 130.2 Salt, unpublished measurements, n=3
TEA 0.79 130.2 Nicolson & Phillips (1981) J. Physiol 321, 225
TEA (average) 1.055
Trimethylphenyl-
ammonium (TMPA)
1.018 135.6 Salt, unpublished measurements, n=3
Tetramethyl-
ammonium (TMA)
1.76 74.1 Salt, unpublished measurements, n=3
TMA 1.11 Nicolson & Phillips (1981) J. Physiol 321, 225
TMA (average) 1.435
Urea 1.67 61 Hobbie (1978) Intermediate Physics for Advance Biology, Wiley press