Magnetic susceptibility and electron spin resonance in quenched metal solutions

Abstract

We describe magnetic susceptibility and electron spin resonance measurements of solutions of lithium in the non-aqueous solvent hexamethylphosphoric triamide over the temperature range 4–270 K. The concentration of lithium was varied from 1 to 6 mol% lithium. Our results reveal the coexistence of at least two distinct, magnetically isolated species; a localised electron species being predominant at low metal concentrations and low temperatures, and a metallic, itinerant electron state becoming dominant as the lithium concentration is increased. These results point to a considerable degree of aggregation of centres in the freezing process.