Structural Analysis of Some Molten Materials by X-ray Diffraction: Part 4.—Alkali Nitrates RNO3(R = Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs and Ag)

Abstract

The structures of molten LiNO3, NaNO3, KNOj, RbNO3, CsNO3 and AgNO3 have been investigated by deriving the radial distribution function from X-ray diffraction data. The existence of NO J ions in these molten salts was confirmed by analysis of the first peaks of the radial distribution functions. Nitrate ions and cations could have a diamond (or zinc blende)-like arrangement with 25 % random vacancies in molten NaNO3, KNO3, RbNO3 and CsNO3. On the other hand, nitrate ions and cations could have a simple cubic (or NaCl)-likc arrangement in molten AgNO3 and LiNO3.