LIQUID TELLURIDES - STRUCTURE AND PROPERTIES

In this paper, a review of the thermodynamic, electrical and structura l properties of liquid alkali-tellurium alloys is presented with a spe cial emphasis on the interplay between these properties. The thermodyn amic properties indicate ordering of the solutions at compositions cor responding to about 12, 50, and 67 at.% of alkali atoms. The electrica l conductivity and thermopower data confirm that these liquids are tru e semiconductors. The neutron diffraction patterns coupled with the ab ove information indicate that in the case of liquid K0.12Te0.88 the me asured structure is dominated by the Te-Te contribution, and is remark ably similar to that of pure liquid tellurium, while the equiatomic al loy K0.50Te0.50 is shown to contain mostly Te pairs which are identifi ed with Zintl ions, Te-2(2-).