Abstract

Thermal methods were used, to determine with high precision, the solid-liquid phase equilibria diagrams for the sodium-rubidium and sodium-potassium-rubidium systems. In the sodium-rubidium system, the results differ greatly from those of earlier works, especially near the eutectic composition where differences in freezing points as large as 25°K occur. A detailed search was made for possible intermetallic compounds (especially Na2Rb). Neither slow temperature cycling in the temperature range where compound formation could occur nor extended periods of annealing just above the eutectic temperature produced any evidence for compound formation in the sodium-rubidium system. A 2:1 (sodium to rubidium) sample was subjected to 60,000 atmospheres pressure. Again, no evidence was obtained for solid compound formation. In the sodium-potassium-rubidium system, a partial phase diagram was obtained; however, there. is no evidence of the formation of NaKRb in this system.

Degree

College and Department

Physical and Mathematical Sciences; Chemistry and Biochemistry

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