Electrical resistivity of liquid Bi–Sb alloys

Abstract

The electrical resistivities of liquid Bi–Sb alloys have been measured by DC four-probe method within Bi-rich composition through a wide temperature range. The distinct anomaly of a hump shape was observed on resistivity–temperature (ρndash;T) curves for liquid Bi–Sb alloys on heating at the relatively high temperatures. These anomalies have revealed the temperature-induced liquid–liquid phase transition in Bi–Sb melts. The DSC results for BiSb20wt% alloy further prove the existence of liquid–liquid transition. Measuring the ρ–T curves first on heating and then on cooling we have found that on cooling the ρ–T curve remained linear. It means that the postulated liquid–liquid transition may be irreversible.

Keywords:

• Liquid Bi–Sb alloys
• Electrical resistivity
• Liquidndash;liquid transition

Acknowledgements

This work has been supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China Grant No. 50371024 and No. 50571033, by the key project of Chinese Ministry of Education No. 104106.