I have a liquid (decalin-tetralin mix with a refractive index of 1.49) I want to suspend it in a liquid with which it is immiscible and has relatively low viscosity. I know you can raise the refractive index of water by adding salt and sugar and this would be ideal but I don't want to end up with a saturated solution! I can't find any tables that go up high enough. The suspending liquid doesn't have to be water. I know glycerol has a relatively high refractive index but the viscosity won't be suitable. Any suggestions?
Hi Michael you can try some of the water soluble ionic liquids. Some of them have considerably high refractive index e.g., 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate (1.49) and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolim methylsulfate (1.48), viscosity might be a problem but they are not as viscous as glycerol.
Check this webpage...
Http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/tables/indrf.html
hope this helps
cheers
Article A Relation between Viscosity and Refractive Index
Nope, no one can recommend a high refractive index, low viscosity solution. This was an old question, but just so that if anyone still reads it, the answer is here.
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