Solid–liquid interfacial energy of solid succinonitrile solution in equilibrium with succinonitrile–neopentylglycol eutectic liquid

Abstract

The grain boundary groove shapes for solid succinonitrile solution (SCN–5mole% NPG) in equilibrium with the succinonitrile (SCN)–neopentylglycol (NPG) eutectic liquid (SCN–9.55mole% NPG) have been directly observed by using a horizontal linear temperature gradient apparatus at 317.1K equilibrium temperature. From the observed grain boundary groove shapes, the Gibbs–Thomson coefficient (Г) and solid-liquid interfacial energy (σSL) of solid SCN solution have been determined to be (5.43±0.50)×10−8Km and (8.09±1.21)×10−3Jm−2, respectively. The grain boundary energy of solid SCN solution has been determined to be (14.22±2.28)×10−3Jm−2 from the observed grain boundary groove shapes. The thermal conductivity for SCN–9.55mole% NPG eutectic solid phase and the thermal conductivity ratio of eutectic liquid phase to eutectic solid phase at the melting temperature have also been measured with a radial heat flow apparatus and Bridgman type growth apparatus, respectively.