Intervalence charge transfer in neodymium–neodymium chloride melts: spectroscopic and electrical conductivity study

Abstract We report the first optical spectra in molten Ndx(NdCl3)1−x and NdCl2–NdCl3(LiCl, KCl)eut, which have been obtained by reflectivity and absorption measurements in the NIR–VIS–UV range at temperatures up to 760 °C. In addition, we have measured the temperature coefficient of the electrical conductivity of Ndx(NdCl3)1−x melts at various compositions, x, and temperatures up to 902 °C. The spectroscopic results together with the apparent activation energies for the conductivity support the model of intervalence charge transfer in these systems.