Isotope enrichment during the formation of water clusters in supersonic free jet expansions

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Abstract
Presently, investigation of the dynamics, energetics, and structure of microscopic molecular clusters constitutes an active area of research in chemical physics. Herein the RRKM theory of primary isotope effects is extended to qualitatively predict isotope enrichment in water cluster formation. The theoretical model is verified experimentally by neutral free jet expansion modulated molecular beam mass spectrometry of mixed (H2O)m(D2O)n clusters. The results further support the previously presented mechanism for neutral cluster growth in free jet expansions. The observed enrichment factors (∼30%) suggest that techniques involving clustering may find practical applications in the area of isotope separation.