Anion plays a more important role than cation in affecting gas hydrate stability in electrolyte solution? — a recognition from experimental results

An interesting phenomenon that cation and anion play different roles in inhibiting hydrate formation in electrolyte solution has been recognized from experimental results: gas hydrate stability condition in electrolyte solution is mainly determined by anion but comparatively few by cation. This difference is qualitatively attributed to the difference of cation and anion in affecting the ambient water networks due to their hydration characteristics in electrolyte solution, although more researches is needed to verify the phenomenon and understand its mechanism.