Temperature-Induced Structural Changes in the Liquid GaInSn Eutectic Alloy

Abstract

The temperature-dependent structure and properties of a liquid GaInSn eutectic alloy have been investigated by using in situ high-energy X-ray diffraction, thermal expansion, and heat capacity measurements together with ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. It is found that below and above 550 K, the liquid exhibits differences in heat capacity, density, the first two peak positions of the structure factor and pair distribution function, partial coordination numbers, polyhedron connection, as well as Bader charge and Bader volume of In atoms. Both experimental and theoretical results obtained here clearly reveal a liquid-toliquid crossover in the liquid GaInSn eutectic alloy at around 550 K, which mainly originates from the aggregation of In atoms upon cooling together with Sn atoms tending closer to In. The finding here deepens the understanding of the disorderto-disorder transition in disordered materials.

Critical Review on the Physical Properties of Gallium-Based Liquid Metals and Selected Pathways for Their Alteration

“…Zhang et al. and Wang et al saw a similar behavior for the ternary alloy Galinstan (see Figure b), , which might be due to excess heat capacity. Especially, Wang et al.…”

“…Reduction in heat capacity was also found for pure gallium in the liquid state. 228 Zhang et al and Wang et al saw a similar behavior for the ternary alloy Galinstan (see Figure 12b), 151,233 which might be due to excess heat capacity. Especially, Wang et al observed an anomaly in the course of the heat capacity at around 530 °C, which was ascribed to a liquid-to-liquid crossover (LLC).…”

“…For example, the density declines from around 6440 kg/m 3 near room temperature to about 6200 kg/m 3 at 871 °C . Interestingly, the derivative ∂ρ / ∂T shows a significant minimum at a temperature of around 700 °C for both EGaIn and Galinstan, , which is suggested to be related to a liquid-to-liquid crossover (LLC).…”

“…observed an anomaly in the course of the heat capacity at around 530 °C, which was ascribed to a liquid-to-liquid crossover (LLC) . At temperatures below the LLC temperature, phase segregation occurs (i.e., In atoms prefer to aggregate) . More information on LLC can be found in the review articles by He et al and Zu …”

“…151 At temperatures below the LLC temperature, phase segregation occurs (i.e., In atoms prefer to aggregate). 151 More information on LLC can be found in the review articles by He et al 234 and Zu. 235 5.4.…”