title: Presence of Li Clusters in Molten LiCl-Li.
abstract: Molten mixtures of lithium chloride and metallic lithium are of significant interest in various metal oxide reduction processes. These solutions have been reported to exhibit seemingly anomalous physical characteristics that lack a comprehensive explanation. In the current work, the physical chemistry of molten solutions of lithium chloride and metallic lithium, with and without lithium oxide, was investigated using in situ Raman spectroscopy. The Raman spectra obtained from these solutions were in agreement with the previously reported spectrum of the lithium cluster, Li8. This observation is indicative of a nanofluid type colloidal suspension of Li8 in a molten salt matrix. It is suggested that the formation and suspension of lithium clusters in lithium chloride is the cause of various phenomena exhibited by these solutions that were previously unexplainable.
authors.affiliation: Materials Science and Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno 1664 N. Virginia St. Reno, MS0388, NV 89557, USA.
authors.forename: Augustus
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Merwin
authors.affiliation: Materials Science and Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno 1664 N. Virginia St. Reno, MS0388, NV 89557, USA.
authors.forename: William C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.affiliation: Nuclear Chemical Engineering Department, Nuclear Engineering Division Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439, USA.
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Williamson
authors.affiliation: Nuclear Chemical Engineering Department, Nuclear Engineering Division Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439, USA.
authors.forename: James L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Willit
authors.affiliation: Nuclear Chemical Engineering Department, Nuclear Engineering Division Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439, USA.
authors.forename: Perry N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Motsegood
authors.affiliation: Materials Science and Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno 1664 N. Virginia St. Reno, MS0388, NV 89557, USA.
authors.forename: Dev
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chidambaram