Determination of several thermophysical properties of toluene using a single experimental setup

Dynamic light scattering can be used for the determination of several thermophysical properties of interest using one single experimental setup. Light scattering from bulk fluids allows the measurement of thermal diffusivity and sound velocity. Results are presented for toluene, an important reference fluid, over a wide temperature range up to the critical point at saturation conditions for both the liquid and the vapour phase. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the same setup can be used for the determination of surface tension and kinematic viscosity of the liquid phase from light scattering by surface waves on a vertical liquid layer. All experiments are based on a heterodyne detection scheme and signal analysis by photon correlation spectroscopy. The results are discussed in comparison with literature data.