An investigation into some aspects of transport properties in molten salts.

This thesis embodies the results of an investigation of some aspects of transport phenomena in molten salts. The subject of molten salts and their relevance to the theory of the liquid state is discussed, together with a brief survey of the experimental results which have been gained concerning these liquids. The concept of transport numbers in molten salts has been investigated both experimentally and theoretically. Experiments are described in which transport numbers in a pure molten salt (lead chloride) have been measured. An investigation of concentration cells with transference, containing molten salt electrolytes, has been carried out and the results of the investigation are presented herein. The results obtained are expressed by values of the electromotive forces of the cells, measured as a function of the temperature and composition of the molten salt electrolytes. Further, values for the diffusion potential, pertaining to liquid junctions between molten salt mixtures of varying nature and composition, have been deduced. The E.M.F. and diffusion potential data has been interpreted in respect of the microscopic structures of the molten electrolytes, and a theoretical discussion of the E.M.F. of the cells, and of the diffusion potential, is also presented. The theoretical calculation of diffusion potentials is discussed in detail.