Molecular dynamics simulation of the thermodynamic and transport properties of the molten salt fast reactor fuel LiF-ThE4

The local structure and transport properties of molten LiF-ThF4 at the eutectic composition have been studied at a range of temperatures, using molecular dynamics simulations that incorporate dipole polarization effects. This polarizable interaction potential was parameterized from first-principles calculations. We have calculated the density, self-diffusion.coefficients, electrical conductivity, viscosity, and heat capacity at a range of temperatures from 850 K to 1273 K. We have also examined the changes in coordination number as a function of temperature. The simulation results were in good agreement with available experimental data, indicating that such simulations can fulfill a valuable role in augmenting existing experimental work. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.