Correlations for calculating the surface tension and enthalpies of sublimation of alkali halides

The capability of a new model on predicting the surface tension of molten alkali halides is described. A relationship, with a simple form of calculation, exists between the surface tension (gamma) at the melting point, molar volume (V), inter-nuclear distance (D) and the enthalpy of sublimation (E-5). The basic idea results from the assumption that all the parameters are constants that are usually easy to acquire. Moreover, two previous models (Furth and Schytil equations) were also checked and applied for calculating surface tension of molten salts. The three formulas have been examined for 20 salts and showed remarkable agreement between calculated and experimental data with a difference of less than 10% for most of the salts studied. The heats of sublimation of alkali halides were, theoretically, calculated and compared to literature values. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.