Liquid Co-Sn alloys at high temperatures: structure and physical properties

The Co-Sn system is an important subsystem for Sn-based anode materials of lithium-ion batteries. Experimental results on the physical-chemical properties of this system in the liquid state, however, are rather sparse. In this work, the atomic structure and structure-sensitive thermophysical properties (viscosity, electrical resistivity, and thermoelectric power) of liquid Co-Sn alloys were investigated in a wide temperature range with special attention to the melting-solidification region. The obtained experimental results were combined with differential thermal analysis (DTA) data in order to verify the liquidus curve in the Sn-rich part of the Co-Sn phase diagram.