New solid phase of KNO3 - NaNO3 salt mixtures studied by neutron scattering and differential scanning calorimetry analysis

With the aim of supporting the thermodynamic modeling of phase equilibria of molten salt mixtures, this article investigates the solid phases present in NaNO3 and KNO3 binary mixtures. To that end, an innovative approach based on the combined use of high-temperature Neutron Scattering Analysis and Differential Scanning Calorimetry was proposed. A solid phase not reported before was detected close to the solidus curve in the central part of the phase diagram, and its diffraction pattern was assigned to a mixed nitrate phase, i.e. a solid solution of the two salts. © 2018 Author(s).