The structure of molten ZnCl2

Abstract High energy photon diffraction measurements on molten ZnCl 2 have been carried out in the temperature range 623–853 K. The momentum transfer range covered is 0.15 A −1 Q −1 . The sample is investigated in transmission geometry. The data are in good agreement with neutron diffraction measurements. A discrepancy at smaller Q values is to be noted, however, with earlier studies using conventional Mo–K α X-rays in reflection geometry. By combining neutron and high energy photon results, the partial distribution functions can be separated to some extent. Almost no change of the first Zn–Cl distance is observed with increasing temperature, whereas the distribution of the first shell Cl–Cl distances increases in width and the first shell Zn–Zn distance decreases.