Comments on the structure of molten salts

Abstract

The structure of molten NaCl, previously published by Edwards et al. (see ibid., vol.8, p.3483, 1975) has been reconsidered in the light of new values for the neutron scattering amplitudes of 35Cl and 37Cl. The conclusions reached by Edwards et al. about the general properties of ionic melts have been confirmed although some specific conclusions about NaCl need slight revision. The determination of experimental coordination numbers from total diffraction patterns is also discussed and it is shown that serious errors may arise when the melt contains large cations.