The system Na2CO3–MgCO3 at 3 GPa

It was suggested that Na–Mg carbonates might play a substantial role in mantle metasomatic processes through lowering melting temperatures of mantle peridotites. Taking into account that natrite, Na₂CO₃, eitelite, Na₂Mg(CO₃)₂, and magnesite, MgCO₃, have been recently reported from xenoliths of shallow mantle (110–115?km) origin, we performed experiments on phase relations in the system Na₂CO₃–MgCO₃ at 3?GPa and 800–1250°C. We found that the subsolidus assemblages comprise the stability fields of Na-carbonate?+?eitelite and eitelite?+?magnesite with the transition boundary at 50?mol% Na₂CO₃. The Na-carbonate–eitelite eutectic was established at 900°C and 69?mol% Na₂CO₃. Eitelite melts incongruently to magnesite and a liquid containing about 55?mol% Na₂CO₃ at 925?±?25 °C. At 1050 °C, the liquid, coexisting with Na-carbonate, contains 86–88?mol% Na₂CO₃. Melting point of Na₂CO₃ was established at 1175?±?25 °C. The Na₂CO₃ content in the liquid coexisting with magnesite decreases to 31?mol% as temperature increases to 1250°C. According to our data, the Na- and Mg-rich carbonate melt, which is more alkaline than eitelite, can be stable at the P–T conditions of the shallow lithospheric mantle with thermal gradient of 45?mW/m² corresponding to temperature of 900 °C at 3?GPa.     

The system Na2CO3–CaCO3–MgCO3 at 6 GPa and 900–1250°C and its relation to the partial melting of carbonated mantle

In order to constrain the Na₂CO₃–CaCO₃–MgCO₃ T–X diagram at 6?GPa in addition to the binary and pseudo-binary systems we conducted experiments along the Na₂CO₃–Ca_0.5Mg_0.5CO₃ join. At 900–1000°C, melting does not occur and isothermal sections are presented by one-, two- and three-phase regions containing Ca-bearing magnesite, aragonite, Na₂CO₃ (Na₂) and Na₂(Ca_1–0.9Mg_0-0.1)_3-4(CO₃)_4-5 (Na₂Ca_3-4), Na₄(Ca_1–0.6Mg_0–0.4)(CO₃)₃ (Na₄Ca), Na₂(Ca_0-0.08Mg_1–0.92)(CO₃)₂ (Na₂Mg) phases with intermediate compositions. The minimum melting point locates between 1000°C and 1100°C. This point would resemble that of three eutectics: Mgs–Na₂Ca₃–Na₂Mg, Na₂Mg–Na₂Ca₃–Na₄Ca or Na₂Mg–Na₄Ca–Na₂, in the compositional interval of [45Na₂CO₃·55(Ca_0.6Mg_0.4)CO₃]–[60Na₂CO₃·40Ca_0.6Mg_0.4CO₃]. The liquidus projection has seven primary solidification phase regions for Mgs, Dol, Arg, Na₂Ca₃, Na₄Ca, Na₂ and Na₂Mg. The results suggest that extraction of Na and Ca from silicate to carbonate components has to decrease minimum melting temperature of carbonated mantle rocks to 1000–1100°C at 6?GPa and yields Na-rich dolomitic melt with a Na# (Na₂O/(Na₂O?+?CaO?+?MgO))?≥?28?mol%.     

Subsolidus phase relation in the Bi_2O_3–Fe_2O_3–La_2O_3 system

Bismuth-containing semiconductor material is a hot topic in photocatalysts because of its effective absorption under the visible light.In this paper,we expect to explore a new bismuth-based photocatalyst by studying the subsolidus phase relations of the Bi2O3–Fe2O3–La2O3system.The X-ray diffraction data shows that in this ternary system the ternary compound does not exist,while seven binary compounds(including one solid solution series Bi1 xLaxO1.5with 0.167≤x≤0.339)are obtained and eight compatibility triangles are determined.     

The Fe–Fe2P phase diagram at 6 GPa

Here, we report experimental results on melting and subsolidus phase relations in the Fe–Fe₂P system at 6?GPa and 900–1600°C. The system has two P-bearing compounds: Fe₃P and Fe₂P. X-ray diffraction patterns of these compounds correspond to schreibersite and barringerite, respectively. The Fe–Fe₃P eutectic appears at 1075°C and 16?mol% P. Schreibersite (Fe₃P) melts incongruently at 1250°C to produce barringerite (Fe₂P) and liquid containing 23?mol% P. Barringerite (Fe₂P) melts congruently at 1575°C. Maximum solid solution of P in metallic iron at 6?GPa is 5?mol%. As temperature increases to 1600°C, the P solubility in the metallic iron decreases to 0.5?mol%, whereas the P content in coexisting liquid decreases to 3?mol%. The composition of quenched phases from Fe–P melt coincides with the compositions of equilibrium phases at corresponding temperature. Consequently, the composition of quenched products of Fe-P melts in meteorites can be used for reconstruction of P–T conditions of their crystallization under ambient or low pressures or during shock melting by impact collisions.     

Formation and properties of rocksalt-type AlN and implications for high pressure phase relations in the system Si–Al–O–N

Pressure-dependent thermodynamic properties of the ambient and high pressure phases of aluminum nitride (w-AlN and rs-AlN) were calculated from first principles in order to determine their phase boundary in the p? T phase diagram. These predictions were checked by static HP/HT experiments, using a multianvil press and an Al/N/H precursor with low decomposition temperature as educt. The experimental data show that at temperatures between 1000 and 2000 K, the boundary line between the two phases is situated between 11 and 12 GPa, which is ～1.3 GPa lower than the theoretical result and generally lower than previously assumed. The hardness of rs-AlN – measured for the first time – is ～30 GPa (Knoop indenter at loads of 25–50 g), twice as hard as w-AlN. Shock wave recovery experiments on nano w-AlN allowed testing of the chemical and thermal stability of rs-AlN, and determination of its infrared absorption and ²⁷Al NMR data. The shock wave technique will eventually enable the synthesis of larger amounts of rs-AlN, making it available for technological use. Finally, implications on the high pressure stability of phases in the Si–Al–O–N system are discussed in the light of thermoelastic properties of AlN.     

Phase relationships in the Co–Pt–Nd ternary system at 773 K

The isothermal section of the Co–Pt–Nd system at 773 K was constructed in the whole concentration range by using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersion spectroscopy techniques. Twenty-two single-phase regions (including solid solution regions of the binary compounds) were determined; 41 two-phase regions and 20 three-phase regions were identified to exist at this isothermal section. No new binary and ternary phases were found.     

Phase transformations in the TiO2–SiO2 system at high pressures and temperatures

In situ X-ray diffraction study of a sol–gel-produced SiO₂–TiO₂ glass and intimately mixed ultrafine powders of SiO₂ and TiO₂ was used to investigate the effect of TiO₂ on the high-pressure phase transformations of SiO₂ and specifically on the change in the p,T-conditions of the formation of coesite and stishovite. Our findings have shown that at pressures to 7.5?GPa and temperatures up to 1300?K the presence of TiO₂ does not favor the formation of stishovite.     

Infrared photoluminescence and Raman spectra in the Y2O3–ZrO2 system

In this work we present laser-excited infrared photoluminescence and Raman spectra of zirconia with different yttria content (2%–9.5% Y ₂O₃) in order to investigate the effect of dopant on their optical properties. All the Raman spectra were taken over the range 100–800 cm^?1, and the Ar⁺ laser-excited luminescence over the range 16,000–19,000 cm^?1 (absolute frequency). The results are discussed on the basis of defects related to anion vacancies and changes in the disorder degree induced mainly by yttria content in the samples.     

Ternary compounds and isothermal section in Lu–Fe–Ga ternary system at 773 K

The isothermal section of the Lu–Fe–Ga ternary system at 773?K was investigated and constructed based on X-ray powder diffraction analysis. Thirteen binary compounds, Lu₂Fe₁₇, Lu₆Fe₂₃, LuFe₂, LuGa₃, LuGa₂, Lu₃Ga₅, LuGa, Lu₃Ga₂, Lu₅Ga₃, Fe₃Ga, Fe₆Ga₅, Fe₃Ga₄, FeGa₃, nine ternary solid solutions, T₁-LuFe_2–1.43Ga_0–0.57, T₂-LuFe_1.34–0.92Ga_0.68–1.08, T₃-LuFe_0.52–0.26Ga_1.48–1.74, T₅-LuFe_2.04–1.72Ga_0.96–1.28, T₆-Lu₆Fe_23–21.4Ga_0–1.6, T₇-Lu₂Fe_17–14.5Ga_0–3.5, T₈-Lu₂Fe_12.9–8.1Ga_4.1–8.9, T₉-LuFe_6.8–5.5Ga_5.2–6.5, T₁₀-LuFe_5.2–4.5Ga_6.8–7.5, and two ternary compounds, T₄-LuFe_2.35Ga_0.65 and T₁₁-Lu₂FeGa₈ have been confirmed. The structures of the five new ternary compounds or solid solution T₂, T₃, T₄, T₅ and T₈ are determined by Rietveld refinement method.     

Study of electrical conductivity and phase transition in Bi2O3–V2O5 system

The solid solutions of bismuth–vanadate were prepared by the conventional solid-state reaction. The sample characterization and the study of phase transition were done by using FT-IR, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and DSC measurements. AC impedance measurements proved that the oxide ion conductivity predominantly arises from the grain and grain boundary contributions as two well-defined semicircles are clearly seen along with an inclined spike. The electrical conductivity of Bi₂O₃–V₂O₅ has been studied at different temperatures for various molar ratios. The isothermal conductivity increases with an increase in the concentration of V₂O₅ due to the vacancy migration phenomenon. It has been found that the conductivity of different compositions of Bi₂O₃–V₂O₅ increases and shows a jump in the temperature range 230–260°C due to the phase transition of BiVO₄ from monoclinic scheelite type to that of tetragonal scheelite type. The endothermic peak in DSC at around 260°C reveals the phase transition, which is also confirmed by the XRD and FT-IR analysis. The XRD patterns confirmed the monoclinic structure of BiVO₄.     

Phase relations and optical properties of semiconducting ternary sulfides in the system Cu–Sn–S

The ternary system Cu–Sn–S was re-investigated and the phase diagram Cu₂S–SnS₂ studied in detail by differential thermal analysis and X-ray diffractometry. Three phases of composition Cu₄SnS₄, Cu₂SnS₃ and Cu₂Sn_3+xS_7+2x(0≤×≤1) were found exhibiting melting points at 833, 856 and 803 °C, respectively. Ellipsometric and diffuse reflectance measurements revealed that the latter two sulfides possess a fundamental band gap of 0.93 eV followed by a higher transitions. For the first time it could be demonstrated that Cu₂Sn₃S₇ has semiconducting properties and an absorption coefficients of the order 10⁵ cm⁻¹.     

Enhanced ferromagnetism at the rhombohedral–tetragonal phase boundary in Pr and Mn co-substituted BiFeO3 powders

The effects of Pr substitution on the structure and magnetism of Bi(Fe_0.95Mn_0.05)O₃ powders are investigated systemically. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectra results confirm a phase transition from rhombohedral to tetragonal structure with increasing Pr concentration and the phase boundary occurs at 14% Pr substitution. At the phase boundary composition, enhanced room temperature ferromagnetism has been observed with a remanent magnetization about 0.260 emu/g. The increased magnetization can be understood considering both the modification of the short-range canted G-type antiferromagnetic order at phase boundaries and the suppression of long-range incommensurate spin cycloid of BiFeO₃ by Pr substitution.     

Superconductivity at 50 K in a mixed-phase Ca–P–O compound system treated by shock-wave pressure up to 65 GPa

Shock-wave pressure treatment up to 65 GPa has been applied to samples representing powdered mixtures of calcium and calcium phosphate in 1:1 volume ratio. Magnetometric measurements have revealed superconductivity of the samples at 50 K. By means of X-ray powder diffraction and magnetometric measurements, it has been found that superconductivity observed in the samples corresponds to instability at ambient pressure and room temperature of the phase/s formed in the samples during their shock-wave pressure treatment.     

Spreadsheets to calculate P–V–T relations,thermodynamic and thermoelastic properties of silicates in the MgSiO3–MgO system

Modified equations of state (EoS) of forsterite, wadsleyite, ringwoodite, akimotoite, bridgmanite and post-perovskite based on the Helmholtz free energy are described using Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. The equations of state were set up by joint analysis of reference experimental data and can be used to calculate thermodynamic and thermoelastic parameters and P–V–T properties of the Mg-silicates. We used Visual Basic for Applications module in Microsoft Excel and presented a simultaneous calculation of full set of thermodynamic and thermoelastic functions using only T–P and T–V data as input parameters. Phase transitions in the MgSiO₃–MgO system play an important role in the interpretation of the seismic boundaries of the upper Earth’s mantle and in the D″ layer. Therefore, proposed EoSes of silicates in the MgSiO₃–MgO system have clear geophysical implications. The developed software will be interesting to specialists who are engaged to study the mantle mineralogy and Earth’s interior.     

Metal–insulator phase transition and topology in a three-component system

Due to the topology, insulators become non-trivial, particularly those with large Chern numbers which support multiple edge channels, catching our attention. In the framework of the tight binding approximation, we study a non-interacting Chern insulator model on the three-component dice lattice with real nearest-neighbor and complex next-nearest-neighbor hopping subjected to Λ-or V-type sublattice potentials. By analyzing the dispersions of corresponding energy bands, we find that the system undergoes a metal–insulator transition which can be modulated not only by the Fermi energy but also the tunable extra parameters. Furthermore, rich topological phases, including the ones with high Hall plateau, are uncovered by calculating the associated band’s Chern number. Besides, we also analyze the edge-state spectra and discuss the correspondence between Chern numbers and the edge states by the principle of bulk-edge correspondence. In general, our results suggest that there are large Chern number phases with C = ±3 and the work enriches the research about large Chern numbers in multiband systems.     

Magnetically induced phase separation in the Co–Cr binary system

Direct evidence of phase separation in the Co-rich corner of the Co–Cr binary system, the transformation of high-temperature FCC α-Co into a ferromagnetic α_f phase and a paramagnetic α_p phase, has been experimentally obtained by using diffusion couple technique, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersion analysis of X-ray (SEM-EDX), analytical transmission electron microscopy, optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Thermodynamic calculation, on the basis of the presently obtained phase equilibrium data, has verified that this phase separation arises from magnetic ordering, and that a similar phase separation appears in the HCP phase below 469°C which is transformed into a ferromagnetic ε_f phase and a paramagnetic ε_p phase. It is therefore concluded that magnetically induced phase separation must be responsible for the microscopic composition modulation of Cr in the CoCr thin film magnetic recording media.     

Phase diagram of the Al–Er–Mo ternary system at 873 K

The phase relationship in the Al–Er–Mo ternary system at 873 K has been investigated based on the equilibrated method mainly by means of X-ray powder diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The existence of 10 binary compounds and two ternary compounds has been confirmed. The results present that the isothermal section at 873 K is governed by 15 single-phase regions, 29 two-phase regions and 15 three-phase regions. By using the phase-disappearing method, Al₈Mo₃ has a narrow homogeneity range (from 72 to 73 at% Al), while the homogeneity range of AlMo₃ is from 21% to 28.5% at% Al. Also, the maximum solubility of Al in Mo is about 16 at%.