X-ray diffraction study of liquid sulfur

The X-ray scattering intensity of liquid sulfur was measured at 130, 155, 180, 210, 240, 270 and 300°C by a reflection method from a free liquid surface. This was carried out using a special inner diffraction chamber as a sample holder. As a result of a radial distribution analysis, the radial functions were obtained and atomic distances and coordination numbers for the first two coordination shells were determined. The results can be explained by proposing that the molecular structure of liquid sulfur is composed of S 8 -rings.