Thermal transport behavior of van der Waals solids and liquids in the neighborhood of the solid-liquid phase transition

Abstract

The thermal conductivity, λ, is one of the few transport coefficients which shows a relatively small change at the solid-liquid phase transition, and hence it is a property that can be used in comparing dynamic properties of both ordered and disordered systems. Although the discontinuity in λ can be accounted for largely by the difference in density, ρ, of solid and liquid at the phase transition, its volume dependence is examined more closely. The thermal diffusivity, which is known to dominate the dynamic structure factor of liquid argon, has been determined around the phase transition also; the sound velocity has been considered in addition. The results are discussed and a comparison is made with these properties in solid and liquid benzene and cyclohexane.