Unusual Thermodynamic and Electrical Properties of Metallic Solutions Near the Critical Point of the Almost Pure Solvent

Abstract

Abstract The paper presents experimental results of the electrical conductivity σ, the equation of state data and different related properties such as excess volumes of mixing V Ex and partial molar volumes V̄ In for dilute amalgams of In as a function of pressure p . temperature T and composition X In to 2700 bar, 1900 K and 2.85 at‐% In, respectively. Particular attention is given to the behaviour of these properties in the metal‐nonmetal transition range and close to the critical point of pure Hg. It is found that the divergence of the compressibility χ T of pure Hg at the critical point is reflected in the behaviour of V Ex , V̄ In and in the concentration dependence of the conductivity. The limiting values of the negative partial molar volume V̄ In and of for infinitely dilute solutions become extremely large as the critical point of pure Hg is approached. — An attempt is made to separate the different effects of temperature, volume and concentration and to analyze the data in terms of existing models for the electrical transport in expanded Hg and the critical behaviour of fluid dilute solutions.