The Stability, Electronic and Surface Properties of the Alkali Azides.
Abstract
Measurements of the thermal decomposition of KN3 are reported. The decomposition was found to be enhanced by the application of an electric field with the increased rate of nitrogen evolution due to the field being essentially independent of the sign of the field whereas the potassium evolution rate was found to be largest when the free surface of the crystal was negative. A model for this behavior is proposed. Theoretical calculations of the energies of Schottky pair formation, cation ion migration, cohesive energies, lattice parameters, specific volumes, azide liberational frequencies and elastic moduli are also outlined. These have been made using a Born model of the azide lattice and attention directed at choosing a correct form for the azide repulsive potential. A bispherical form for this potential was developed and found to be superior in predicting the above properties over the series of alkali azides. Using the energies obtained in the above calculations an analysis of cation diffusion in KN3 has been carried out. An approximate analytic expression for the correlation factor was obtained and the temperature dependence of the elements of the diffusion temperature evaluated.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1976
- Accession Number
- ADA032414
Entities
People
- Barrie S. H. Royce
Organizations
- Princeton University