Experimental investigation and thermodynamic modeling of the binary Pt-Sn system

The thermodynamics of the Pt-Sn system is revisited with attention to phase equilibria involving PtSn4, a topological quantum material with interesting physical properties. The phase relationship in the Sn-rich region of the Pt-Sn binary system was investigated by a combination of differential scanning calorimetry and equilibration experiments. Based on the present experiments and a critical evaluation of the available thermodynamic and phase diagram data reported in the literature, thermodynamic assessments of the entire Pt-Sn system were performed using the CALPHAD approach. Two sets of thermodynamic parameters were optimized, where the liquid phase was described using the Bragg-Williams random mixing model and the associate solution model, respectively. The modeling results are compared with the reliable experimental data and are shown to provide good representations of the phase equilibria and thermodynamic properties in this system. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.