Hydration structure of ethanol water solution at low alcohol concentration

Abstract
The analysis of the hydration structure of ethanol in water is performed employing both neutron and X-ray scattering data. An abrupt structural change as a function of the molar concentration is evidenced and connected with the water distribution around the ethanol. The change in structure appears to be related to the hydrogen bonds in the system and a small isotope effect may appear on substituting hydrogen with deuterium.