Structural study of α-Bi2O3 under pressure.
A L J Pereira1, D Errandonea, A Beltrán
1Instituto de Diseño para la Fabricación y Producción Automatizada, MALTA Consolider Team, Universitat Politècnica de Valencia, E-46022 València, Spain.
Summary
High pressure compresses monoclinic bismuth oxide (α-Bi2O3), causing amorphization between 15-25 GPa. This study details its structural properties and phase transitions under extreme conditions.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Solid State Physics
- Geophysics
Background:
- Monoclinic bismuth oxide (α-Bi2O3) is a significant material with diverse applications.
- Understanding its behavior under high pressure is crucial for various scientific fields.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally and theoretically investigate the structural properties of α-Bi2O3 under high pressures.
- To determine the equation of state and identify phase transitions up to 45 GPa.
Main Methods:
- Angle-dispersive X-ray diffraction measurements on synthetic and mineral bismite samples.
- Compression of samples up to 45 GPa.
- Comparison of experimental data with theoretical calculations.
Main Results:
- Experimental results were compared with theoretical calculations.
- A pressure-induced amorphization was observed between 15 and 25 GPa.
- The amorphous phase was studied up to 45 GPa.
Conclusions:
- High pressure induces amorphization in α-Bi2O3, contrary to theoretical predictions of transitions below 10 GPa.
- The observed amorphization is dependent on sample quality and deviatoric stresses.
- The nature of the amorphous phase under high pressure was discussed.
