The atomic structure of the liquid NiSi and NiSi(2) alloys is investigated by means of neutron diffraction experiments with isotopic substitution. From experimental data-sets obtained using four Ni isotopes, partial structure factors and pair correlation functions are obtained by applying a reverse Monte Carlo modelling approach. Both alloys were found to exhibit a strong tendency to hetero-coordination within the first coordination shell. In particular, covalent Si-Si bonds with somewhat greater distances seem to influence the structure of the liquid NiSi alloy.
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