Exchange of oxygen isotopes in carbon dioxide-phosphoric [correction of phosporic] acid systems

The rate of exchange of isotopes of oxygen between solutions of concentrated phosphoric acid and CO2 was measured as a function of temperature, acid strength (pressure of water in equilibrium with the solution), pressure of CO2, and surface area of the reaction vessel. At 75 degrees C, significant exchange was found to occur even for the "anhydrous" phosphoric acids, those in which the nominal percentage of H3PO4 in solution is equal to or exceeds 100%. Exchange is much slower at 25 degrees C, but isotopic shifts as large as 0.1% can be observed in 95% H3PO4 at equilibration times approaching 1000 hr. Rates of exchange were found to be dependent upon the vapor pressure of water in equilibrium with the acid solutions. Exchange was found to occur primarily on the surface of the reaction vessel above the solution, with no dependence on total CO2 pressure. These observations indicate that phosphoric acids with nominal concentrations of H3PO4 approaching 105% are preferable for the minimization of exchange between CO2 samples and acid solutions during phosphorolyses of carbonate materials. Moreover, with such acids, significant time--temperature trade-offs are possible, allowing rapid preparation of CO2 at elevated temperatures.