An investigation of high temperature thermodynamic properties in the Pt-Zr and Pt-Hf systems

High-temperature thermodynamic properties of Pt−Zr alloys containing 2 to 25 at. pct Zr and Pt−Hf alloys containing 20 to 25 at. pct Hf have been measured over the temperature range 1100 to 1400 K by a galvanic cell technique using a thoria-based electrolyte. Activities of Zr and Hf show large negative deviations from Raoult's Law; at 1300 K and 23 at. pct Zr of Hf, for instance,a _Zr=6.5×10⁻¹⁶ anda _Hf=7.9×10⁻¹⁷. Correlation of emf results with X-ray phase data enables calculation of standard free energies of formation of the intermetallic compounds ZrPt₅, ZrPt₃, and HfPt₃. At 1300 K ΔG _f ⁰ (ZrPt₅) =−92,680 cal/mole; ΔG _f ⁰ (ZrPt₃)=−91,740 cal/mole; and ΔG _f ⁰ (HfPt₃)=−97,350 cal/mole. The high stabilities of phases in the Pt−Ti, Pt−Zr, and Pt−Hf systems verify the predictions of the Engel-Brewer correlation. The large negative entropies of formation of TiPt₃, ZrPt₃ are discussed. Applications including side reactions in fuel cells and thermocouple systems are mentioned. P. J. MESCHTER, formerly a Graduate Student at the University of Pennsylvania This paper is based upon a dissertation submitted by P. J. Meschter in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Pennsylvania.