Thermodynamic properties of lanthanide metals in liquid bismuth

Thermodynamic quantities of La, Gd, Tb, and Dy in liquid bismuth were experimentally determined by electromotive force (EMF) measurement using a cell consisting of molten alkaline chloride and liquid bismuth. Excess Gibbs energy changes and activity coefficients were determined at varying concentrations and temperatures. Through their temperature dependence, corresponding enthalpy changes and entropy changes were determined. The excess enthalpy changes of La, Gd, Tb, and Dy in liquid bismuth in a temperature range from 850 to 1100 K were evaluated to be, −221.54±2.31, −202.25±1.80, −199.83±0.55, and −193.80±0.99 kJ/mol, respectively. The systematic variation of excess enthalpy change of lanthanides along the 4f-series was discussed. As a result, it was found that the excess enthalpy changes of La, Gd, Tb, Dy, and Er are likely to depend linearly on the 2/3 power of their metallic volume.