Medium‐range order and physical properties of Cu–20at.% Sb melts

Abstract Local structure of Cu–20at.%Sb melts has been studied by X‐ray diffraction and ab initio molecular dynamics simulation. Pre‐peaks in relation with medium‐range order are observed in structure factor. Negative Warren–Cowley parameters reflect the existence of chemical order. With an obvious pre‐peak, broadening intensities of Cu3Sb are in good agreement with experimental results, indicating structure similarity of Cu3Sb to ordered clusters in the melts. These imply that origin of pre‐peaks is in relation with Cu3Sb‐like clusters. Abnormally large activation energy of viscous flow and negative temperature coefficient of resistivity are well interpreted as the existence of medium‐range order clusters.