Application of refractive index mixing rules in binary systems of hexadecane and heptadecane with n-alkanols at different temperatures

Density and refractive index have been experimentally determined for binary liquid mixtures of hexadecane and heptadecane with 1-butanol, 1-pentanol, 1- hexanol and 1-heptanol at 298,15, 308,15 and 318,15 K. A comparative study of Lorentz–Lorenz (L–L), Weiner (W) and Heller (H), and Gladstone–Dale (G–D) relations for predicting the refractive index of a liquid has been carried out to test their validity for the eight binaries over the entire mole fraction range of hexadecane and heptadecane at the three temperatures. Comparison of various mixing rules has been expressed in terms of average percentage deviation. The performance of the Lorentz– Lorenz and Heller relations is relatively better than that of the Weiner and Gladstone– Dale relations.