Electronic properties of liquid noble metal–Si alloys

Abstract The electrical resistivity, ρ , of liquid noble metal–Si alloys (M 1− c Si c , M = Cu, Ag, Au) increases rapidly with the addition of Si to liquid noble metals. The composition dependence of ρ exhibits a maximum at the composition c = 0.3, 0.4 and 0.4 for liquid Cu–Si, Ag–Si and Au–Si, respectively. A positive to negative transition of thermoelectric power, S , is observed at c = 0.3, 0.15 and 0.1 for liquid Cu–Si, Ag–Si and Au–Si, respectively. Their composition dependence of S reaches a minimum value in the composition range c = 0.6–0.8. The experimental results of ρ and S have been analyzed using the Faber–Ziman theory. The composition dependence of χ for liquid Cu–Si and Au–Si alloys exhibits a clear deviation from a straight line on the noble metal-rich side. As a result, liquid Cu–Si and Au–Si alloys have a minimum in the composition dependence of paramagnetic susceptibility.