Incorporation of uranium in pyrochlore oxides and pressure-induced phase transitions
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Through high-energy x-ray diffraction and atomic pair density function analysis we find that Zr-based metallic alloy, heated to the supercooled liquid state under hydrostatic pressure and then quenched to room temperature, exhibits a distinct glassy structure. The PDF indicates that the Zr-Zr distances in this glass are significantly reduced compared to those quenched without pressure. Annealing at the glass transition temperature at ambient pressure reverses structural changes and the initial glassy state is recovered. This result suggests that pressure causes a liquid-to-liquid phase transition in this metallic alloy supercooled melt. Such a pressure induced transition is known for covalent liquids, but has not been observed for metallic liquids. The High Pressure Quenched glasses are stable in ambient conditions after decompression.
Here mechanisms underlying the mechanically induced amorphization of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are of current interest, and both high-pressure experimentation and molecular dynamics simulations have been used to reveal the fundamentals of load bearing, deformation, and pressure-induced amorphization (PIA) in these highly porous materials. Unfortunately, MOFs are typically highly susceptibility to amorphization, which limits the conditions under which they can be processed and used. However, their flexible structures can be stabilized to high pressures by incorporating guest species into the framework matrix. In this study, a large molecule pressure transmitting medium (DAPHNE 7575 ) is used as a structure-fortifying guest species to stabilize the prototypical MOF -5 to ultra-high pressures ( >9 GPa) and enable the recovery of crystalline material upon decompression. Structural changes associated with the penetration of the pressure transmitting medium on compression are examined using a combination of high pressure synchrotron powder diffraction and molecular dynamics simulations. This work enhances the understanding of PIA in MOFs while showcasing a potential route for the stabilization of MOFs to surprisingly high-pressures.
The high-pressure X-ray microtomography (HPXMT) apparatus has been operating at the GeoSoilEnviroCARS (GSECARS) bending magnet beamline at the Advanced Photon Source since 2005. By combining the powerful synchrotron X-ray source and fast switching between white (for X-ray diffraction) and monochromatic (for absorption imaging) modes, this technique provides the high-pressure community with a unique opportunity to image the three-dimensional volume, texture, and microstructure of materials under high pressure and temperature. The ability to shear the sample with unlimited strain by twisting the two opposed anvils in the apparatus allows shear deformation studies under extreme pressure and temperature to be performed. HPXMT is a powerful tool for studying the physical properties of both crystalline and non-crystalline materials under high pressure and high temperature. Over the past 10 years, continuous effort has been put into technical development, modifications to improve the overall performance, and additional probing techniques to meet users’ needs. Here in this paper, we present an up-to-date report on the HPXMT system, a brief review of some of its many exciting scientific applications, and a discussion of future developments.
We studied magnesium chloride (MgCl 2 ) with the rhombohedral layered CdCl 2 -type structure (α-MgCl 2 ), experimentally, using synchrotron angle-dispersive powder x-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy using a diamond-anvil cell up to 100 GPa at room temperature and theoretically using first-principles density functional calculations. Our results reveal a pressure-induced second-order structural phase transition to a hexagonal layered CdI 2 -type structure (β-MgCl 2 ) at 0.7 GPa: the stacking sequence of the Cl anions are altered resulting in a reduction of the c-axis length. Theoretical calculations confirm this phase transition sequence and the calculated transition pressure is in excellent agreement with the experiment. Lattice dynamics calculations also reproduce the experimental Raman spectra measured for the ambient and high-pressure phase. According to our experimental results MgCl 2 remains in a 2D layered phase up to 100 GPa and further, the 6-fold coordination of Mg cations is retained. Theoretical calculations of relative enthalpy suggest that this extensive pressure stability is due to a low enthalpy of the layered structure ruling out kinetic barrier effects. Our observation is unusual, as it contradicts with the general structural behavior of highly compressed AB 2 compounds.
The 16 ID-D (Insertion Device - D station) beamline of the High Pressure Collaborative Access Team at the Advanced Photon Source is dedicated to high pressure research using X-ray spectroscopy techniques typically integrated with diamond anvil cells. The beamline provides X-rays of 4.5-37 keV, and current available techniques include X-ray emission spectroscopy, inelastic X-ray scattering, and nuclear resonant scattering. Here, the recent developments include a canted undulator upgrade, 17-element analyzer array for inelastic X-ray scattering, and an emission spectrometer using a polycapillary half-lens. Recent development projects and future prospects are also discussed.
The accuracy and precision of pressure measurements and the pursuit of reliable and readily available pressure scales at simultaneous high temperatures and pressures are still topics in development in high pressure research despite many years of work. In situ pressure scales based on x-ray diffraction are widely used but require x-ray access, which is lacking outside of x-ray beam lines. Other methods such as fixed points require several experiments to bracket a pressure calibration point. In this study, a recoverable high-temperature pressure gauge for pressures ranging from 3 GPa to 10 GPa is presented. The gauge is based on the pressure-dependent solubility of an SiO{sub 2} component in the rutile-structured phase of GeO{sub 2} (argutite), and is valid when the argutite solid solution coexists with coesite. The solid solution varies strongly in composition, mainly in pressure but also somewhat in temperature, and the compositional variations are easily detected by x-ray diffraction of the recovered products because of significant changes in the lattice parameters. The solid solution is measured here on two isotherms, one at 1200 °C and the other at 1500 °C, and is developed as a pressure gauge by calibrating it against three fixed points for each temperature and against the lattice parameter of MgO measured in situ at a total of three additional points. A somewhat detailed thermodynamic analysis is then presented that allows the pressure gauge to be used at other temperatures. This provides a way to accurately and reproducibly evaluate the pressure in high pressure experiments and applications in this pressure-temperature range, and could potentially be used as a benchmark to compare various other pressure scales under high temperature conditions. - Graphical abstract: The saturation curve of SiO{sub 2} in TiO{sub 2} shows a strong pressure dependence and a strong dependence of unit cell volume on composition. This provides an opportunity to use this saturation curve as a measurement of pressure during a high-pressure experiment. The curve is a sensitive measure of pressure from 3 GPa to 10 GPa at high temperatures. The pressure is derived from lattice parameter measurements on the recovered solid solution, meaning that in-situ measurements are not necessary to evaluate the pressure of the experiment. - Highlights: • The unit cell of a saturated GeO{sub 2}–SiO{sub 2} solid solution is used as a pressure sensor. • We measure nine bracketed pressure points on the GeO{sub 2}–SiO{sub 2} saturation surface. • We provide a pressure calibrant from 3 GPa to 10 GPa at two temperatures. • Four points are measured at 1200 °C and five points at 1500 °C. • A thermodynamic model is developed for use of the calibrant at other temperatures.
In this study, we developed a new method for in-situ pressure determination in multi-anvil, high-pressure apparatus using an acoustic travel time approach within the framework of acoustoelasticity. The ultrasonic travel times of polycrystalline Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} were calibrated against NaCl pressure scale up to 15 GPa and 900 °C in a Kawai-type double-stage multi-anvil apparatus in conjunction with synchrotron X-radiation, thereby providing a convenient and reliable gauge for pressure determination at ambient and high temperatures. The pressures derived from this new travel time method are in excellent agreement with those from the fixed-point methods. Application of this new pressure gauge in an offline experiment revealed a remarkable agreement of the densities of coesite with those from the previous single crystal compression studies under hydrostatic conditions, thus providing strong validation for the current travel time pressure scale. The travel time approach not only can be used for continuous in-situ pressure determination at room temperature, high temperatures, during compression and decompression, but also bears a unique capability that none of the previous scales can deliver, i.e., simultaneous pressure and temperature determination with a high accuracy (±0.16 GPa in pressure and ±17 °C in temperature). Therefore, the new in-situ Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} pressure gauge is expected to enable new and expanded opportunities for offline laboratory studies of solid and liquid materials under high pressure and high temperature in multi-anvil apparatus.
Within a high-pressure environment, crystal deformation is controlled by complex processes such as dislocation motion, twinning, and phase transitions, which change materials' microscopic morphology and alter their properties. Understanding a crystal's response to external stress provides a unique opportunity for rational tailoring of its functionalities. It is very challenging to track the strain evolution and physical deformation from a single nanoscale crystal under high-pressure stress. Here, we report an in situ three-dimensional mapping of morphology and strain evolutions in a single-crystal silver nanocube within a high-pressure environment using the Bragg Coherent Diffractive Imaging (CDI) method. We observed a continuous lattice distortion, followed by a deformation twining process at a constant pressure. The ability to visualize stress-introduced deformation of nanocrystals with high spatial resolution and prominent strain sensitivity provides an important route for interpreting and engineering novel properties of nanomaterials.
This article presents vibrations analysis of the reactor core barrel caused by pressure pulsations induced by the main coolant pump. For this purpose, the calculations of the pressure distribution in the annulus between the core barrel and the reactor pressure vessel, bounded above by a separating ring were performed. Using transfer matrix method is obtained the solution of two-dimensional problem of pressure pulsations in the annulus between reactor core barrel and reactor vessel. The calculation results are compared with the pulsation pressure measurements made at commissioning unit 2 of the South Ukraine Nuclear Power Station. The distribution of pressure over the height of core barrel was obtained, which makes possible to estimate its strength for variant deformation of the core barrel as a beam, and in the case of deformation of the core barrel as a shell. The calculation results are used to assess the reliability of core barrel pre-load, which clamps the core barrel flange in place at the top, at full power operating. (author)
The thermodynamic stability and melting point of magnesium borohydride were probed under hydrogen pressures up to 1000 bar (100 MPa) and temperatures up to 400 °C. At 400 °C, Mg(BH4)2 was found to be chemically stable between 700 and 1000 bar H2, whereas under 350 bar H2 or lower pressures, the bulk material partially decomposed into MgH2 and MgB12H12. The melting point of solvent-free Mg(BH4)2 was estimated to be 367-375 °C, which was above previously reported values by 40-90 °C. Our results indicated that a high hydrogen backpressure is needed to prevent the decomposition of Mg(BH4)2 before measuring the melting point and that molten Mg(BH4)2 can exist as a stable liquid phase between 367 and 400 °C under hydrogen overpressures of 700 bar or above. The occurrence of a pure molten Mg(BH4)2 phase enabled efficient melt-infiltration of Mg(BH4)2 into the pores of porous templated carbons (CMK-3 and CMK-8) and graphene aerogels. Both transmission electron microscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering confirmed efficient incorporation of the borohydride into the carbon pores. The Mg(BH4)2@carbon samples exhibited comparable hydrogen capacities to bulk Mg(BH4)2 upon desorption up to 390 °C based on the mass of the active component; the onset of hydrogen release was reduced by 15-25 °C compared to the bulk. Importantly, melt-infiltration under hydrogen pressure was shown to be an efficient way to introduce metal borohydrides into the pores of carbon-based materials, helping to prevent particle agglomeration and formation of stable closo-polyborate byproducts.
Three isotypic crystals, SiO 2 (α-cristobalite), ε-Zn(OH) 2 (wülfingite), and Be(OH) 2 (β-behoite), with topologically identical frameworks of corner-connected tetrahedra, undergo displacive compression-driven phase transitions at similar pressures (1.5–2.0 GPa), but each transition is characterized by a different mechanism resulting in different structural modifications. In this study, we report the crystal structure of the high-pressure γ-phase of beryllium hydroxide and compare it with the high-pressure structures of the other two minerals. In Be(OH) 2 , the transition from the ambient β-behoite phase with the orthorhombic space group P2 1 2 1 2 1 and ambient unit cell parameters a = 4.5403(4) Å, b = 4.6253(5) Å, c = 7.0599(7) Å, to the high-pressure orthorhombic γ-polymorph with space group Fdd2 and unit cell parameters (at 5.3(1) GPa) a = 5.738(2) Å, b = 6.260(3) Å, c = 7.200(4) Å takes place between 1.7 and 3.6 GPa. This transition is essentially second order, is accompanied by a negligible volume discontinuity, and exhibits both displacive and reversible character. The mechanism of the phase transition results in a change to the hydrogen bond connectivities and rotation of the BeO 4 tetrahedra.
Abstract not provided