Structure of liquid Li-Sn alloys

Abstract

Neutron diffraction measurements of liquid Li-Sn alloys provide evidence for appreciable ordering in the liquid, probably accompanied by charge transfer from Li to Sn. The effects are strongest in Li4Sn, which happens to be close to the 'zero-alloy' composition SCC(q) and rho CC(r) have been determined at the latter composition. For two other compositions, combination with available X-ray results has led to reasonable estimates of SNN(q) and SCC(q). The structural properties of the Li-Sn alloy system closely resemble those of the Li-Pb system. Some essential features of the diffraction pattern can be described by the mean spherical approximation (MSA).