Thermodynamic optimization and calculation of the ErCl3–MCl (M=Li,Na,K,Rb,Cs ) systems

Abstract In this paper, the binary phase diagrams of the ErCl3–MCl (M = Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs) systems were studied by the CALPHAD (CALculation of PHAse Diagram) approach. The modified quasi-chemical model in the pair-approximation for short-range ordering was used to describe the Gibbs energies of the liquid phase in the systems. From measured phase diagram data and experimental thermochemical properties, a series of thermodynamic functions has been optimized based on computer-assisted analysis. A discussion of thermodynamic functions for strong interaction binary systems was undertaken. The results showed that the calculated phase diagrams and optimized thermodynamic parameters are self-consistent.