Time-resolved Raman spectroscopy for monitoring the structural evolution of materials during rapid compression.

Rapid compression experiments performed using a dynamic diamond anvil cell (dDAC) offer the opportunity to study compression rate-dependent phenomena, which provide critical knowledge of the phase transition kinetics of materials. However, direct probing of the structure evolution of materials is scarce and so far limited to the synchrotron based x-ray diffraction technique. Here, we present a time-resolved Raman spectroscopy technique to monitor the structural evolutions in a subsecond time resolution. Instead of applying a shutter-based synchronization scheme in previous work, we directly coupled and synchronized the spectrometers with the dDAC, providing sequential Raman data over a broad pressure range. The capability and versatility of this technique are verified by in situ observation of the phase transition processes of three rapid compressed samples. Not only the phase transition pressures but also the transition pathways are reproduced with good accuracy. This approach has the potential to serve as an important complement to x-ray diffraction applied to study the kinetics of phase transitions occurring on time scales of seconds and above.

Revisiting the High-Pressure Behaviors of Zirconium: Nonhydrostaticity Promoting the Phase Transitions and Absence of the Isostructural Phase Transition in ß-Zirconium.

Zirconium (Zr) is an important industrial metal that is widely used in nuclear engineering, chemical engineering, and space and aeronautic engineering because of its unique properties. The high-pressure behaviors of Zr have been widely investigated in the past several decades. However, the controversies still remain in terms of the phase transition (PT) pressures and the isostructural PT in ß-Zr: why the PT pressure in Zr is so scattered, and whether the ß to ß' PT exists. In the present study, to address these two issues, the Zr sample with ultra-high purity (>99.99%) was quasi-hydrostatically compressed up to ~70 GPa. We discovered that both the purity and the stress state of the sample (the grade of hydrostaticity/nonhydrosaticity) affect the PT pressure of Zr, while the stress state is the dominant factor, the nonhydrostaticity significantly promotes the PT of Zr. We also propose two reasons why the ß-ß' isostructural PT was absent in the subsequent and present experiments, which call for further investigation of Zr under quasi-compression up to 200 GPa or even higher pressures.

Interplay of Anionic Quasi-Atoms and Interstitial Point Defects in Electrides: Abnormal Interstice Occupation and Colossal Charge State of Point Defects in Dense fcc-Lithium.

Electrides are an emerging class of materials with highly localized electrons in the interstices of a crystal that behave as anions. The presence of these unusual interstitial quasi-atom (ISQ) electrons leads to interesting physical and chemical properties and wide potential applications for this new class of materials. Crystal defects often have a crucial influence on the properties of materials. Introducing impurities has been proved to be an effective approach to improve the properties of a material and to expand its applications. However, the interactions between the anionic ISQs and the crystal defects in electrides are yet unknown. Here, dense fcc-Li was employed as an archetype to explore the interplay between anionic ISQs and interstitial impurity atoms in this electride. This work reveals strong coupling among the interstitial impurity atoms, the ISQs, and the matrix Li atoms near to the defects. This complex interplay and interaction mainly manifest as the unexpected tetrahedral interstitial occupation of impurity atoms and the enhancement of electron localization in the interstices. Moreover, the Be impurity occupying the octahedral interstice shows the highest negative charge state (Be8-) discovered thus far. These results demonstrate the rich chemistry and physics of this emerging material and provide a new basis for enriching their variants for a wide range of applications.

Temperature- and Rate-Dependent Pathways in Formation of Metastable Silicon Phases under Rapid Decompression.

High-pressure metallic ß-Sn silicon (Si-II), depending on temperature, decompression rate, stress, etc., may transform to diverse metastable forms with promising semiconducting properties under decompression. However, the underlying mechanisms governing the different transformation paths are not well understood. Here, two distinctive pathways, viz., a thermally activated crystal-crystal transition and a mechanically driven amorphization, were characterized under rapid decompression of Si-II at various temperatures using in situ time-resolved x-ray diffraction. Under slow decompression, Si-II transforms to a crystalline bc8/r8 phase in the pressure range of 4.3-9.2 GPa through a thermally activated process where the overdepressurization and the onset transition strain are strongly dependent on decompression rate and temperature. In comparison, Si-II collapses structurally to an amorphous form at around 4.3 GPa when the volume expansion approaches a critical strain via rapid decompression beyond a threshold rate. The occurrence of the critical strain indicates a limit of the structural metastability of Si-II, which separates the thermally activated and mechanically driven transition processes. The results show the coupled effect of decompression rate, activation barrier, and thermal energy on the adopted transformation paths, providing atomistic insight into the competition between equilibrium and nonequilibrium pathways and the resulting metastable phases.

Reciprocating Compression of ZnO Probed by X-ray Diffraction: The Size Effect on Structural Properties under High Pressure.

Zinc oxide, ZnO, an important technologically relevant binary compound, was investigated by reciprocating compress the sample in a diamond anvil cell using in situ high-pressure synchrotron X-ray diffraction at room temperature. The starting sample (∼200 nm) was compressed to 20 GPa and then decompressed to ambient condition. The quenched sample, with average grain size ∼10 nm, was recompressed to 20 GPa and then released to ambient condition. The structural stability and compressibility of the initial bulk ZnO and quenched nano ZnO were compared. Results reveal that the grain size and the fractional cell distortion have little effect on the structural stability of ZnO. The bulk modulus of the B4 (hexagonal wurtzites structure) and B1 (cubic rock salt structure) phases for bulk ZnO under hydrostatic compression were estimated as 164(3) and 201(2) GPa, respectively. Importantly, the effect of pressure in atomic positions, bond distances, and bond angles was obtained. On the basis of this information, the B4-to-B1 phase transformation was demonstrated to follow the hexagonal path rather than the tetragonal path. For the first time, the detail of the intermediate hexagonal ZnO, revealing the B4-to-B1 transition mechanism, was detected by experimental method. These findings enrich our knowledge on the diversity of the size influences on the high-pressure behaviors of materials and offer new insights into the mechanism of the B4-to-B1 phase transition that is commonly observed in many other wurzite semiconductor compounds.

High-Pressure Effects on Hofmann-Type Clathrates: Promoted Release and Restricted Insertion of Guest Molecules.

The search for effective methods to accurately control host-guest relationship is the central theme of host-guest chemistry. In this work, high pressure successfully promotes guest release in the Hofmann-type clathrate of [Ni(NH3)2Ni(CN)4]·2C6H6 (Ni-Bz) and restricts guest insertion into Ni(NH3)2Ni(CN)4 (Ni-Ni). Because of the weak host-guest interactions of Ni-Bz, external force gradually removes guest benzene from the host framework, leading to puckered layers. Further theoretical calculations reveal the positive pressure contribution to breaking the energy barrier between Ni-Bz and Ni-Ni, explaining guest release from an energy standpoint. Inversely, guest insertion is restricted in the synthesized host of Ni-Ni because of the steric hindrance effect at high pressure. This study not only reveals structural effects on host-guest behaviors but also proves the role of pressure in controlling host-guest interactions. This unique observation is also crucial for the further application of host-guest materials in sustained and intelligent drug release, molecular separation, and transportation.

High-Pressure Study of Perovskite-Like Organometal Halide: Band-Gap Narrowing and Structural Evolution of [NH3-(CH2)4-NH3]CuCl4.

Searching for nontoxic and stable perovskite-like alternatives to lead-based halide perovskites for photovoltaic application is one urgent issue in photoelectricity science. Such exploration inevitably requires an effective method to accurately control both the crystalline and electronic structures. This work applies high pressure to narrow the band gap of perovskite-like organometal halide, [NH3-(CH2)4-NH3]CuCl4 (DABCuCl4), through the crystalline-structure tuning. The band gap keeps decreasing below ∼12 GPa, involving the shrinkage and distortion of CuCl42-. Inorganic distortion determines both band-gap narrowing and phase transition between 6.4 and 10.5 GPa, and organic chains function as the spring cushion, evidenced by the structural transition at ∼0.8 GPa. The supporting function of organic chains protects DABCuCl4 from phase transition and amorphization, which also contributes to the sustaining band-gap narrowing. This work combines crystal structure and macroscopic property together and offers new strategies for the further design and synthesis of hybrid perovskite-like alternatives.

Effect of pressure on heterocyclic compounds: pyrimidine and s-triazine.

We have examined the high-pressure behaviors of six-membered heterocyclic compounds of pyrimidine and s-triazine up to 26 and 26.5 GPa, respectively. Pyrimidine crystallizes in Pna21 symmetry (phase I) with the freezing pressure of 0.3 GPa, and transforms to another phase (phase II) at 1.1 GPa. Raman spectra of several compression-decompression cycles demonstrate there is a critical pressure of 15.5 GPa for pyrimidine. Pyrimidine returns back to its original liquid state as long as the highest pressure is below 15.1 GPa. Rupture of the aromatic ring is observed once pressure exceeds 15.5 GPa during a compression-decompression cycle, evidenced by the amorphous characteristics of the recovered sample. As for s-triazine, the phase transition from R-3c to C2/c is well reproduced at 0.6 GPa, in comparison with previous Raman data. Detailed Raman scattering experiments corroborate the critical pressure for s-triazine may locate at 14.5 GPa. That is, the compression is reversible below 14.3 GPa, whereas chemical reaction with ring opening is detected when the final pressure is above 14.5 GPa. During compression, the complete amorphization pressure for pyrimidine and s-triazine is identified as 22.4 and 15.2 GPa, respectively, based on disappearance of Raman lattice modes. Synchrotron X-ray diffraction patterns and Fourier transform infrared spectra of recovered samples indicate the products in two cases comprise of extended nitrogen-rich amorphous hydrogenated carbon (a-C:H:N).

Pressure-induced isosymmetric phase transition in sulfamic acid: a combined Raman and x-ray diffraction study.

High-pressure behaviors of hydrogen-bonded molecular crystal, sulfamic acid (NH3(+)SO3(-), SA), have been investigated using Raman spectroscopy and synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques up to the pressure of ~20 GPa. Under ambient conditions, molecules of SA are arranged in puckered layers and held together by hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions. It is proved by the Raman results that SA undergoes the molecular conformation changes in the pressure range 8.1-10.2 GPa. Then between 10.2 and 12.7 GPa, a phase transition is observed in both Raman and XRD patterns. Both the ambient and high-pressure phases of SA crystallize in Pbca symmetry with similar unit-cell dimensions. The mechanism of the phase transition involves relative movements of adjacent hydrogen-bonded molecules, accompanied by the rearrangement of hydrogen bonds and the enhancement of electrostatic interactions.

Exploration of the pyrazinamide polymorphism at high pressure.

We report the high-pressure response of three forms (α, δ, and γ) of pyrazinamide (C(5)H(5)N(3)O, PZA) by in situ Raman spectroscopy and synchrotron X-ray diffraction techniques with a pressure of about 14 GPa. These different forms are characterized by various intermolecular bonding schemes. High-pressure experimental results show that the γ phase undergoes phase transition to the ß phase at a pressure of about 4 GPa, whereas the other two forms retain their original structures at a high pressure. We propose that the stabilities of the α and δ forms upon compression are due to the special dimer connection that these forms possess. On the other hand, the γ form, which does not have this connection, prefers to transform to the closely related ß form when pressure is applied. The detailed mechanism of the phase transition together with the stability of the three polymorphs is discussed by taking molecular stacking into account.

Compression studies of face-to-face π-stacking interaction in sodium squarate salts: Na2C4O4 and Na2C4O4●3H2O.

High-pressure Raman scattering and synchrotron X-ray diffraction measurements of sodium squarate (Na(2)C(4)O(4), SS) are performed in a diamond anvil cell. SS possesses a rare, but typical structure, which can show the effect of face-to-face π-stacking without interference of other interactions. At ~11 GPa, it undergoes a phase transition, identified as a symmetry transformation from P2(1)/c to P2(1). From high-pressure Raman patterns and the calculated model of SS, it can be proved that the phase transition results from the distorted squarate rings. We infer it is the enhancement of π-stacking that dominates the distortion. For comparison, high-pressure Raman spectra of sodium squarate trihydrate (Na(2)C(4)O(4)●3H(2)O, SST) are also investigated. The structure of SST is determined by both face-to-face π-stacking and hydrogen bonding. SST can be regarded as a deformation of SS. A phase transition, with the similar mechanism as SS, is observed at ~10.3 GPa. Our results can be well supported by the previous high-pressure studies of ammonium squarate ((NH(4))(2)C(4)O(4), AS), and vice versa. High-pressure behaviors of the noncovalent interactions in SS, SST, and AS are compared to show the impacts of hydrogen bonding and the role of electrostatic interaction in releasing process.

Synthesis and high-pressure transformation of metastable wurtzite-structured CuGaS2 nanocrystals.

The metastable wurtzite nanocrystals of CuGaS(2) have been synthesized through a facile and effective one-pot solvothermal approach. Through the Rietveld refinement on experimental X-ray diffraction patterns, we have unambiguously determined the structural parameters and the disordered nature of this wurtzite phase. The metastability of wurtzite structure with respect to the stable chalcopyrite structure was testified by a precise theoretical total energy calculation. Subsequent high-pressure experiments were performed to establish the isothermal phase stability of this wurtzite phase in the pressure range of 0-15.9 GPa, above which another disordered rock salt phase crystallized and remained stable up to 30.3 GPa, the highest pressure studied. Upon release of pressure, the sample was irreversible and intriguingly converted into the energetically more favorable and ordered chalcopyrite structure as revealed by the synchrotron X-ray diffraction and the high-resolution transmission electron microscopic measurements. The observed phase transitions were rationalized by first-principles calculations. The current research surely establishes a novel phase transition sequence of disorder → disorder → order, where pressure has played a significant role in effectively tuning stabilities of these different phases.

Pressure-induced phase transition in N-H···O hydrogen-bonded molecular crystal oxamide.

The effect of high pressure on the structural stability of oxamide has been investigated in a diamond anvil cell by Raman spectroscopy up to ∼14.6 GPa and by angle-dispersive X-ray diffraction (ADXRD) up to ∼17.5 GPa. The discontinuity in Raman shifts around 9.6 GPa indicates a pressure-induced structural phase transition. This phase transition is confirmed by the change of ADXRD spectra with the symmetry transformation from P1 to P1. On total release of pressure, the diffraction pattern returns to its initial state, implying this transition is reversible. We discuss the pressure-induced variations in N-H stretching vibrations and the amide modes in Raman spectra and propose that this phase transition is attributed to the distortions of the hydrogen-bonded networks.

Effect of high pressure on the typical supramolecular structure of guanidinium methanesulfonate.

We report the high-pressure response of guanidinium methanesulfonate (C(NH(2))(3)(+)·CH(3)SO(3)(-), GMS) using in situ Raman spectroscopy and synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques up to the pressures of ~11 GPa. GMS exhibits the representative supramolecular structure of two-dimensional (2D) hydrogen-bonded bilayered motifs under ambient conditions. On the basis of the experimental results, two phase transitions were identified at 0.6 and 1.5 GPa, respectively. The first phase transition, which shows the reconstructive feature, is ascribed to the rearrangements of hydrogen-bonded networks, resulting in the symmetry transformation from C2/m to Pnma. The second one proves to be associated with local distortions of methyl groups, accompanied by the symmetry transformation from Pnma to Pna2(1). The cooperativity of hydrogen bonding, electrostatic, and van der Waals interactions, as well as mechanisms for the phase transitions is discussed by means of the local nature of the structure.

Pressure-induced phase transition in guanidinium perchlorate: a supramolecular structure directed by hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions.

In situ Raman spectroscopy and synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD) experiments have been performed to investigate the response of guanidinium perchlorate (C(NH(2))(3)(+)·ClO(4)(-), GP) to high pressures of ∼11 GPa. GP exhibits a typical supramolecular structure of two-dimensional (2D) hydrogen-bonded ionic networks at ambient conditions. A subtle phase transition, accompanied by the symmetry transformation from R3m to C2, has been confirmed by obvious changes in both Raman and XRD patterns at 4.5 GPa. The phase transition is attributed to the competition between hydrogen bonds and close packing of the supramolecular structure at high pressure. Hydrogen bonds have been demonstrated to evolve into a distorted state through the phase transition, accompanied by the reduction in separation of oppositely charged ions in adjacent sheet motifs. A detailed mechanism of the phase transition, as well as the cooperativity between hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions, is discussed by virtue of the local nature of the structure.

Pressure-induced phase transitions in ammonium squarate: a supramolecular structure based on hydrogen-bonding and π-stacking interactions.

We report the results of high-pressure Raman and X-ray diffraction measurements performed on ammonium squarate ((NH(4))(2)C(4)O(4), AS), a representative supramolecular architecture based on hydrogen bonding and π-stacking interactions, at various pressures up to 19 GPa. Two phase transitions at ∼2.7 GPa and in the pressure range of 11.1-13.6 GPa were observed. Both Raman and XRD results provide convincing evidence for these two phase transitions. The first phase transition is attributed to the rearrangements of hydrogen-bonding networks, resulting in the symmetry transformation from P2(1)/c to P1. The second one, which is identified as an order-disorder phase transition, arises from significant modifications of squarate rings and random orientations of NH(4)(+) cations. The cooperative effects between hydrogen-bonding and π-stacking interactions, as well as mechanisms for the phase transitions, are discussed by virtue of the local structure of AS.

Structural properties and halogen bonds of cyanuric chloride under high pressure.

The effects of high pressure on cyanuric chloride (C(3)N(3)Cl(3)), a remarkable crystal structure dominated by halogen bonds, have been studied by synchrotron X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy in a diamond anvil cell. The results of high pressure experiments revealed that there was no obvious phase transition up to 30 GPa, indicating that halogen bonding is an effective noncovalent interaction to stabilize the crystal structure. Moreover, cyanuric chloride exhibited a high compressibility and a strong anisotropic compression, which can be explained by the layered crystal packing. Ab initio calculations were also performed to account for the high pressure Raman spectra and the high pressure behavior of halogen bonding.

Pressure-induced phase transition in hydrogen-bonded supramolecular structure: guanidinium nitrate.

In situ Raman scattering and synchrotron X-ray diffraction have been used to investigate the effects of high pressure on the structural stability of guanidinium nitrate (C(NH(2))(3)(+).NO(3)(-), GN), a representative two-dimensional supramolecular architecture of hydrogen-bonded rosette network. This study has confirmed a structural phase transition observed by Raman scattering and X-ray diffraction at approximately 1 GPa and identified it as a space group change from C2 to P2(1). The high-pressure phase remained stable up to 22 GPa. We discussed the pressure-induced changes in N-H stretching vibration in Raman spectra and proposed that this phase transition is due to the rearrangements of the hydrogen-bonding networks.