The emf method using solid-slate galvanic cells based on a CaF2 single crys
tal as electrolyte has been used to investigate the thermodynamics of the i
ntermetallic couple YAl-YAl2, These represent two out of the five intermeta
llic compounds shown in the Y-Al phase diagram. Two kinds of cells were stu
died:
(-)Pt/Y, YF3/CaF(2)s.c./YAl, YAl2, YF3/Pt(+) and (-)Pt/YAl, YAl2, CaAlF5, C
aF2/CaF(2)s.c./Fe(Al, a(+)), CaAlF5; CaF2/Pt(+)
The cell reactions expected are, respectively, 2YAl (s) = YAl2 (s) + Y (s)
and YAl (s) + Al (1, s) = YAl2 (s). The standard thermodynamic quantities D
elta G degrees, Delta H degrees and Delta S degrees have been measured as a
function of temperature for both the reactions. The Delta(f)H degrees(298)
of YAl has also been derived by selecting from the literature the best val
ue of Delta(f)H degrees(298) for YAl2. The value to assign to the formation
of YAl have been found equal to: Delta(f)H degrees(298) = -107 +/- 6 k/J.m
ol. Moreover, Delta(f)S degrees(298) = 2 +/- 5 kJ/mol and Delta(f)G degrees
(T) (-100 +/- 5) + (1.8 +/- 0.5)10(-2) T kJ/mol have been estimated in the
temperature range from 792 to 1007 K. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All ri
ghts reserved.