Ni(NO3)2.6NH3, another example of KCN-type anomalous thermoelastic behaviour
Abstract
The temperature dependence of all elastic constants of cubic Ni(NO3)2.6NH3, measured from the transition point at - 34.2 to 150DegreesC by ultrasonic methods, exhibits KCN-type anomalous behaviour. Within a wide temperature range all elastic wave velocities increase with higher temperature. The shear resistance c = (c11 - c12)/2 corresponds to the constant c44 in KCN. The change of c with absolute temperature obeys a logarithmic law like c44 in KCN, namely c = a log T/T0 with a = 0.05975 . 1011 dyn cm-2 and T0 = 156.22DegreesK. The anomalous elastic behaviour should be assigned mainly to the thermally activated motions of the NO3 ions. The phase transition is directly related to the low c value.