Structure of molten nitrates. I. Estimation of effective interionic distances

Abstract

In the theoretical calculations of physical properties of molten salts, the distance of closest approach of the ions, rcj, is a parameter of fundamental importance. For melts where all ions show spherical symmetry rij is a simple parameter. This situation can be assumed for molten nitrates in two cases; either when the nitrate ion is rotating with a period of rotation shorter than the period of oscillation of surrounding cations or when all anion cation orientations are statistically averaged to give an effective spherical rij. Both the assumption of free rotation of the nitrate ion and problems associated with statistical averaging of anion-cation orientations are discussed on the basis of available data.