Phase equilibria in the AgCl–LnCl3 (Ln = Ce, Nd, Sm, Gd) binary systems

Abstract

Differential thermal analysis and differential scanning calorimetry were used to investigate phase equilibria in the AgCl–LnCl3 (Ln = Ce, Sm, Gd) binary systems. It was found that systems under investigation represent typical examples of simple eutectic systems. The eutectic compositions and eutectic temperatures were found to be: x(CeCl3) = 0.095, Teut = 700 K (for AgCl–CeCl3), x(SmCl3) = 0.228, Teut = 644 K (for AgCl–SmCl3) and x(GdCl3) = 0.288, Teut = 609 K (for AgCl–GdCl3). The thermodynamic functions of mixing in AgCl–LnCl3 systems (Ln = Ce, Nd, Sm, Gd) were predicted on the basis of experimental data using the CALPHAD method by association model (AM) and Redlich–Kister model (RKM). The possibility of existence of the associates in the liquid phase was discussed.