Phase transitions of sulfur at high pressure: Influence of temperature and pressure environment

Abstract

Phase transitions of orthorhombic sulfur were investigated above 10 GPa by Raman spectroscopy using red light excitation. Transitions into several phases that have been reported in previous studies using green light excitation, are confirmed. The phase behaviour is observed to depend strongly on the preparation method. In the presence of a pressure transmitting medium (methanol/ethanol, 4:1), a sequence of phases α-S₈ → [intermediate phase (“ip”) + S₆] → [S₆ + high pressure-low temperature phase (“hplt”)] is described and characterized. Without the use of a pressure transmitting medium, the phase sequence α-S₈ → [“ip” + “hplt”] + “hplt” is observed. In addition, contributions of amorphous sulfur are detected around 10 GPa, i.e. at pressures below the transformation of α-S₈ into the above-mentioned phases. Characteristic Raman spectra of the different phases are extracted and documented over a wide pressure range.     

Coordination changes in crystalline and vitreous GeO2

Abstract

High pressure x ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) has been performed up to 29 GPa on crystalline and amorphous GeO₂. The modification of the x ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) as well as the variation of the Ge-O distance, indicate that the coordination of Ge changes from 4 to 6 above 6.5 GPa. The transition is confirmed by Raman spectroscopy.     

A new high-pressure polymorph of Ti2O3: implication for high-pressure phase transition in sesquioxides

The post-corundum phase transition has been investigated in Ti₂O₃ on the basis of synchrotron X-ray diffraction in a diamond anvil cell and transmission electron microscopy. The new polymorph of Ti₂O₃ was found at about 19 GPa and 1850 K, and this phase was stable even at about 40 GPa. A new polymorph of Ti₂O₃ can be indexed on a Pnma orthorhombic cell, and the unit-cell parameters are a=7.6965 (19) Å, b=2.8009 (9) Å, c=7.9300 (23) Å, V=170.95 (15) Å³ at 19 GPa, and a=7.8240 (2) Å, b=2.8502 (1) Å, c=8.1209 (3) Å, V=181.10 (1) Å³ at ambient conditions. The Birch–Murnaghan equation of state yields K ₀=206 (3) GPa and K′₀=4 (fixed) for corundum phase, and K ₀=296 (4) GPa and K′₀=4 (fixed) for the post-corundum phase. The molar volume decreases by 12% across the phase transition at around 20 GPa. The structural identification was carried out on a recovered sample by the Rietveld method, and a new polymorph of Ti₂O₃ can be identified as Th₂S₃-type rather than U₂S₃-type structure. The transition from corundum-type to Th₂S₃-type structure accompanies the drastic change of the form of polyhedron: from TiO₆ octahedron in the corundum-type to TiO₇ polyhedron in the Th₂S₃-type structures.     

Raman spectroscopy of melamine at high pressures up to 60 GPa

In this work, the Raman scattering of melamine was studied under high pressure up to 60 GPa. The behavior of the most intensive peaks of the Raman spectrum of melamine, 677 cm^?1 and 985 cm^?1 modes, and their line widths do not show any phase transition or indication of formation of sp ³ bonds. Comparing the behavior of the line width of the Raman peaks of graphite under pressure and that of melamine leads us to conclude that the s-triasine (C–N) ring is more rigid than the C–C graphite ring. High pressure results with melamine suggest that the direct phase transition g-C₃N₄ to dense C₃N₄ phase should occur above 60 GPa.     

Synchrotron X-ray diffraction of SiO2 to multimegabar pressures

Abstract

α-Quartz was compressed at room temperature in a diamond-anvil cell without a medium to maximum pressures of 31 to 213 GPa and was studied by energy-dispersive synchrotron X-ray diffraction. Broad peaks observed in a previous high-pressure diffraction study of silica glass are evident in the present study of quartz compression, providing in situ confirmation of pressure-induced amorphization above 21 GPa. The 21-GPa crystalline-crystalline (quartz 1–11) transformation previously observed on quasihydrostatic compression of quartz is found to also occur under the current nonhydrostatic conditions, at the identical pressure. With nonhydrostatic compression, however, new sharp diffraction lines are observed at this pressure. The measurements show the coexistence of at least one amorphous and two crystalline phases above 21 GPa and below 43 GPa. The two crystalline phases are identified as quartz II and a new, high-pressure silica phase. The high-pressure phases, both crystalline and amorphous, can be quenched to ambient conditions from a maximum pressure of 43 GPa. With compression above 43 GPa, the diffraction pattern from quartz II is lost and the second crystalline phase persists to above 200 GPa.     

Spectroscopic study ofβ-Ni(OH)2 under pressure

Infrared absorption and Raman study ofβ-Ni(OH)₂ has been carried out up to 25 GPa and 33 GPa, respectively. The frequency ofA _2u internal antisymmetric stretching O-H mode decreases linearly with pressure at a rate of −0.7 cm⁻1/GPa. The FWHM of this mode increases continuously with pressure and reaches a value of ∼ 120 cm⁻¹ around 25 GPa. There was no discernible change observed in the frequency and width of the symmetric stretchingA _1g O-H Raman mode up to 33 GPa. The constancy of the Raman mode is taken as a signature of the repulsion produced by H-H contacts in this material under pressure. Lack of any discontinuity in these modes suggests that there is no phase transition in this material in the measured pressure range.     

High-pressure effect on inverse spinel LiCuVO4:X-ray diffraction and Raman scattering

The effect of external quasi-hydrostatic pressure on the inverse spinel structure of LiCuVO 4 was studied in this paper. High-pressure synchrotron X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy measurements were carried out at room temperature up to 35.7 and 40.3 GPa, respectively. At a pressure of about 20 GPa, both Raman spectra and X-ray diffraction results indicate that LiCuVO4 was transformed into a monoclinic phase, which remained stable up to at least 35.7 GPa. Upon release of pressure, the high-pressure phase returned to the initial phase. The pressure dependence of the volume of low pressure orthorhombic phase and high-pressure monoclinic phase were described by a second-order Birch-Murnaghan equation of state, which yielded bulk modulus values of B 0 = 197(5) and 232(8) GPa, respectively. The results support the empirical suggestion that the oxide spinels have similar bulk modulus around 200 GPa.     

In situ high-pressure X-ray diffraction experiments and ab initio calculations of Co2P

In situ high-pressure experiments of Co2P are carried out by means of angle dispersive X-ray diffraction with diamond anvil cell technique. No phase transition is observed in the present pressure range up to 15 GPa at room temperature, even at high temperature and 15 GPa. Results of compression for Co2P are well presented by the second-order Birch-Murnaghan equation of state with V0 = 130.99(2)3 (1=0.1 nm) and K0 = 160(3) GPa. Axial compressibilities are described by compressional modulus of the axis: Ka = 123(2) GPa, Kb = 167(8) GPa and Kc = 220(7) GPa. Theoretical calculations further support the experimental results and indicate that C23-type Co2P is stable at high pressure compared with the C22-type phase.     

High-pressure phase transitions in UP1-xSx

Abstract

High-pressure X-ray diffraction using synchrotron radiation has been performed on UP_1-x -S_x (X=0.1; 0.25; 0.4) up to 53 GPa UP_1-x S_x is a solid solution with a B1 (NaCl) structure. For all compositions a second order phase transition is observed around 10 GPa to a distorted B1 structure of rhombohedral symmetry. For UP_1-x S_x with x 0.25 a second phase transition is observed, which takes place in the region of 35 GPa This phase transition occurs when the nearest U-U distance reaches the Hill limit of 330–340 pm. The high-pressure phase seems to have orthorhombic or even monoclinic symmetry. It has some similarities to the high pressure phase of UP. UP^1-x S_x 4 shows only weak indications for an additional phase at 53 GPa. In conclusion, we observe that the second phase transition and the bulk modulus B, in UP shift to higher pressure, when phosphorus is replaced by sulfur.     

Optical characteristics of amorphous V2O5 thin films colored by an excimer laser

The V₂O₅ films were prepared by an RF sputtering method, and the amorphous films were colored by an UV excimer laser. The crystallinity of the as-grown V₂O₅ film was degenerated greatly by laser irradiation, as determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman studies. The transmission and complex refractive index spectra of the V₂O₅ film were affected by variations in the microstructure, including the surface morphology, crystalline structure, and substoichiometry with an oxygen deficiency. Considerable emissions due to oxygen vacancies and band transition of photoluminescence (PL) peaks were observed, and the peaks were significantly changed after laser irradiation. The variations in the optical properties in both films may be attributed to oxygen deficiency induced by laser irradiation.     

High pressure behavior of nano-crystalline CeO2 up to 35 GPa: a Raman investigation

The present paper reports the results of in situ Raman studies carried out on nano-crystalline CeO₂ up to a pressure of 35 GPa at room temperature. The material was characterized at ambient conditions using X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy and was found to have a cubic structure. We observed the Raman peak at ambient at 465 cm^?1, which is characteristic of the cubic structure of the material. The sample was pressurized using a diamond anvil cell using ruby fluorescence as the pressure monitor, and the phase evolution was tracked by Raman spectroscopy. With an increase in the applied pressure, the cubic band was seen to steadily shift to higher wavenumbers. However, we observed the appearance of a number of new peaks around a pressure of about 34.7 GPa. CeO₂ was found to undergo a phase transition to an orthorhombic α -PbCl₂-type structure at this pressure. With the release of the applied pressure, the observed peaks steadily shift to lower wavenumbers. On decompression, the high pressure phase existed down to a total release of pressure.     

High-pressure in-situ X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy of Ca2AlFeO5 brownmillerite

The behavior of Ca₂AlFeO₅ brownmillerite was studied by in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy at 300?K with pressures up to 26.5 and 32.1 GPa, respectively. A reversible structural phase transition was observed. The P–V data were fitted by a third-order Birch–Murnaghan equation of state, and the isothermal bulk modulus was obtained as K₀?=?181.9(76) GPa with K₀′_?=?4.4(17). If K₀′ was fixed to 4, K₀ was obtained as 183.8(20) GPa. Ca₂AlFeO₅ brownmillerite shows an axial elastic anisotropy since the b-axis is more compressible than a- and c-axis. Combined with previous results, the isothermal bulk modulus and axial compressibility of Ca₂AlFeO₅ brownmillerite increase with more Al incorporated in the structure. The Raman spectra of Ca₂AlFeO₅ brownmillerite were analyzed and the pressure coefficients vary from 2.23 to 4.90?cm^?1/GPa. The isothermal mode Grüneisen parameters range from 0.83 to 1.77 and the thermal Grüneisen parameter is determined as 1.08(11).     

Laser-induced changes on optical band gap of amorphous and crystallized thin films of Se75S25−xAGx

Optical band gap of amorphous, crystallized, laser induced amorphous and laser induced crystallized films of Se₇₅S_25−xAg_x (x=4, 6 and 8) glassy alloys was studied from absorption spectra. The amorphous and crystallized films were induced by pulse laser for 10 min. After laser irradiation on amorphous and crystalline films, optical band gap was measured. It has been found that the mechanism of the optical absorption follows the rule of indirect transition. The amorphous thin films show an increase in the optical band gap, while the crystallized (thermally annealed) thin films show a decrease in the optical band gap by inducing laser irradiation. Crystallization and amorphization of chalcogenide films were accompanied with the change in the optical band gap. The change in optical energy gap could be determined by identification of the transformed phase. These results are interpreted in terms of concentration of localized states due to shift in Fermi level.     

Pressure effect on mechanical stability and ground state optoelectronic properties of Li2S2 produced by Lithium−Sulfur batteries discharge: GGA-PBE,GLLB-SC and mBJ investigation

ABSTRACT

According to several previous works, Li₂S₂ occurs during discharge of lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries. Several information on the physical properties of this compound remain unknown including those of its ground state. In this work, a study of the pressure effect on the elastic and optoelectronic properties of Li₂S₂ in its tetragonal structure of P4₂/mnm space group was carried out. According to the previous works and according to the structural results, which have been obtained by GGA-PBE and optPBE-vdW funtionals, we have found that P4₂/mnm-Li₂S₂ energy is the lowest compared to other studied structures (P6₃/mmc, P-62m and Immm), this can indicate that P4₂/mnm space group structure may represent its ground state structure. The study of the pressure effect on the elastic properties has shown that P4₂/mnm-Li₂S₂ maintains its mechanical stability for a pressure range between 0 and 2.5?GPa. The study of the directional dependence of Young's modulus has shown that it is anisotropic and therefore indicates the elastic anisotropy of the studied compound. According to the electronic results, the fundamental band-gap of P4₂/mnm-Li₂S₂ is of an indirect nature, its values found by mBJ and GLLB-SC are close to each other. The pressure effect on the possible transitions between the valence band top and the conduction band bottom and on the variations of the refractive index and the absorption coefficient according to both optical directions has been studied by determining the dielectric function. The found optical results have shown that P4₂/mnm-Li₂S₂ has negative uniaxial birefringence.     

First-principles study of elastic and electronic properties of layered ternary nitride SrZrN2 under pressure

The structural, elastic, and electronic properties of SrZrN₂ under pressure up to 100?GPa have been carried out with first-principles calculations based on density functional theory. The calculated lattice parameters at 0?GPa and 0?K by using the GGA-PW91-ultrasoft method are in good agreement with the available experimental data and other previous theoretical calculations. The pressure dependence of the elastic constants and the elastic-dependent properties of SrZrN₂, such as bulk modulus B, shear modulus G, Young's modulus E, Debye temperature Θ, shear and longitudinal wave velocity V_S and V_L, are also successfully obtained. It is found that all elastic constants increase monotonically with pressure. When the pressure increases up to 140?GPa, the obtained elastic constants do not satisfy the mechanical stability criteria and a phase transition might has occurred. Moreover, the anisotropy of the directional-dependent Young's modulus and the linear compressibility under different pressures are analysed for the first time. Finally, the pressure dependence of the total and partial densities of states and the bonding property of SrZrN₂ are also investigated.     

Electron paramagnetic resonance study of S− and S− 3

Abstract

Two new sulphur are reported in monocristalline rubidiumchloride doped with rubidium and sulphur, and irradiated with X-rays at room temperature. By an extensive comparison with other experimental data on chalcogen centres in alkali halides an interstitial RbCl:S^? and a substitutional RbCl:S^? ₃ model is proposed for these paramagnetic defects. Theoretical calculations confirm the S^? ion model for the former.     

Pressure dependence electrical resistivity in DVT grown molybdenum dichalcogenides

Abstract

Single crystals of MoS _x Se_2?x (x=0, 1, 2) have been grown by direct vapour transport method. Pressure-dependent d.c. electrical resistivity measurements have been carried out on the grown crystals to check the possibility of phase transition up to 8 GPa. However, no such transition is observed in the present case but a decrease in resistivity is found with increase in pressure. The observed results have been analysed and discussed on the basis of band structure.     

Anomalous pressure-induced phase transformation in nano-crystalline erbium sesquioxide (Er2O3): partial amorphization under compression

Nanophase materials have novel physical and chemical properties, differing from bulk materials. It is of exceptional interest to investigate the size effect on structural stability in nanocrystals. Here, we investigated pressure-induced phase transitions in nanosized Er₂O₃ using angle-dispersive synchrotron X-ray diffraction up to 40.6 GPa. Nano-Er₂O₃ has enhanced transition pressure and higher bulk modulus (K₀) than its bulk counterparts. Amorphous Er₂O₃ nanoclusters with traces of monoclinic phase are obtained upon compression. This is the first time that partial amorphous structure under compression was observed in nano-Er₂O₃, indicating a kinetic trapping of partial amorphous Er₂O₃ on pressurizing.     

In situ Raman and photoluminescence study on pressure‐induced phase transition in C60 nanotubes

Single crystalline C₆₀ nanotubes having face‐centered‐cubic structure with diameters in the nanometer range were synthesized by a solution method. In situ Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopy under high pressure were employed to study the structural stabilities and transitions of the pristine C₆₀ nanotubes. A phase transition, probably because of the orientational ordering of C₆₀ molecules, from face‐centered‐cubic structure to simple cubic structure occurred at the pressure between 1.46 and 2.26 GPa. At above 20.41 GPa, the Raman spectrum became very diffuse and lost its fine structure in all wavenumber regions, and only two broad and asymmetry peaks initially centered at 1469 and 1570 cm^–1 were observed, indicating an occurrence of amorphization. This amorphous phase remained to be reversible until 31.1 GPa, and it became irreversible to the ambient pressure after the pressure cycle of 34.3 GPa was applied. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Martensitic transition in single-crystalline α-GeO2 at compression

We present a structural study of single crystalline quartz-like α-GeO₂ compressed to pressures up to 12 GPa and subsequently quenched to ambient conditions. The transition to a new crystalline phase with a distorted rutile structure, occurring in the pressure interval 8 to 12 GPa, was established. The structure of the new phase was identified from X-ray and electron diffraction data as P2₁/c monoclinic. Electron transmission and scanning microscopy provide direct evidence of the martensitic (or displacive) nature of the transition, indicating, in particular, the lamellar morphology and crystallographic orientation relation between the initial α-quartz and final new monoclinic phases. Upon heating, the new monoclinic phase transforms to the rutile-type structure with a similar (and similarly oriented) oxygen structure motif. Finally, we discuss the difference in high-pressure behavior of single-crystalline and polycrystalline samples transforming to the new crystalline and amorphous phases, respectively.