Structural Studies of Superacidic Systems Using Neutron and High Energy X-ray Diffraction

The structure of two superacids in the liquid phase, hydrogen fluoride and fluorosulfuric acid, have been determined by neutron and high energy X-ray diffraction in this study. In addition the structure of a molecular Lewis acid, BF₃, has been determined for the liquid state as well as the supercritical state. Experiments were also performed on solutions of the hydronium ion in fluorosulfuric acid by neutron and X-ray diffraction as well as by Raman spectroscopy.

In addition this thesis presents the design and construction of sample cells for neutron and X-ray scattering experiments and the design and construction of a high vacuum/fluorine line capable of handling hydrogen fluoride as well as other fluorine containing species.