Thermodynamics of gold–erbium alloys

Abstract

Galvanic cells with CaF 2 as solid electrolytes were used to obtain the thermodynamic properties of the gold–erbium system between 973 and 1073 K. A complete set of thermodynamic data was obtained for the gold-rich solid solution and for the intermetallic compounds Au 4Er, Au 3Er, Au 2Er, AuEr and AuEr 2. The relative partial excess Gibbs energy of erbium at infinite dilution was determined to be −257 kJ/mol at 1073 K. Electronic and elastic effects are discussed in order to account for the pronounced deviations from ideality.