X-ray diffraction of the molten salt 50 mol% AlCl3–50 mol% LiCl

Abstract

The structure of molten 50 mol% AlCl₃–50 mol% LiCl has been investigated using the radial distribution function based on X-ray scattered intensity data collected at 200 °C and analysed by the correlation method. The existence of AlCl^–₄ ion in this molten salt has been confirmed by an analysis of the first peak of the radial distribution function. The nearest-neighbour distances of the Al–Cl and Cl–Cl pairs are 2.15 and 3.50 Å, respectively. There are approximately four AlCl^–₄ units around one AlCl^–₄ unit with an average interunit distance of 6.75 Å.