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Formation and decomposition of CO2-filled ice
B Massani1, C Mitterdorfer1, T Loerting1
1Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52c, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
The Journal of Chemical Physics
|October 9, 2017
Summary
Carbon dioxide (CO2)-filled ice can form through two new methods: decompressing CO2/ice VI or heating CO2/amorphous ice mixtures. This filled ice can transform into clathrate or decompose into hexagonal ice.
Area of Science:
- Solid-state chemistry
- Materials science
- Geophysics
Background:
- Carbon dioxide (CO2)-filled ice formation was recently observed via CO2-clathrate hydrate compression.
- Understanding CO2-filled ice formation and transformation is crucial for planetary science and materials research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate alternative formation pathways for CO2-filled ice.
- To characterize the phase transitions of CO2-filled ice under varying pressure and temperature conditions.
Main Methods:
- Experimental investigation of CO2/ice VI mixtures under decompression at 250 K.
- Isobaric heating experiments on CO2/high-density amorphous ice mixtures at 0.5–1.0 GPa and above 200 K.
- Analysis of phase transformations including clathrate formation and decomposition to hexagonal ice.
Main Results:
- Two novel routes for CO2-filled ice formation were identified: decompression of CO2/ice VI and isobaric heating of CO2/amorphous ice.
- CO2-filled ice was observed to transform into CO2 clathrate hydrate at elevated pressures.
- Decomposition of CO2-filled ice into "empty" hexagonal ice at ambient pressure and low temperature was demonstrated.
Conclusions:
- The study expands the known formation mechanisms of CO2-filled ice.
- The observed phase behaviors of CO2-filled ice, including transformation and decomposition pathways, provide new insights into CO2-water phase diagrams under extreme conditions.
- These findings complement existing literature, particularly regarding decomposition products at different pressure-temperature regimes.
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