Thermophysical properties of liquid Te: Density, electrical conductivity, and viscosity

The thermophysical properties of liquid Te, namely, density, electrical conductivity, and viscosity, were determined using the pycnometric and transient torque methods from the melting point of Te (723 K) to approximately 1150 K. A maximum was observed in the density of liquid Te as the temperature was increased. The electrical conductivity of liquid Te increased to a constant value of 2.9×105Ω−1m−1 as the temperature was raised above 1000 K. The viscosity decreased rapidly upon heating the liquid to elevated temperatures. The anomalous behaviors of the measured properties are explained as caused by the structural transitions in the liquid and discussed in terms of Eyring’s [A. I. Gubanov, Quantum Electron Theory of Amorphous Conductors (Consultants Bureau, New York, 1965)] and Bachinskii’s [Zh. Fiz.-Khim. O-va. 33, 192 (1901)] predicted behaviors for homogeneous liquids. The properties were also measured as a function of time after the liquid was cooled from approximately 1173 or 1123 to 823 K. No relaxa...