Raman spectroscopic investigations of pressure-induced phase transitions in n-hexane

We report high-pressure Raman studies on n-hexane up to 16 GPa. n-Hexane undergoes solid-solid transition around 9.1 GPa along with an already reported liquid-solid transition around 1.4 GPa. The intensity ratio of the Raman modes relating the all-trans conformation (1147 and 2872 cm-1) to that of the gauche conformation (1074 and 2923 cm-1) shows a sudden change across 9.1 GPa, suggesting an increase in the all-trans population conformers above 9.1 GPa. The disappearance of the torsional modes suggests a steric hindrance to the methyl end group, similar to the n-heptane case, suggesting that the high-pressure phase (above 9.1 GPa) is an orientationally disordered phase. In general, the transition pressure for the solid-solid transition is inversely proportional to the length of the carbon backbone in the medium chain length n-alkanes.     

Pressure-induced structural transition in n-pentane: a Raman study

Pressure-induced Raman spectroscopy studies on n-pentane have been carried out up to 17 GPa at ambient temperature. n-Pentane undergoes a liquid-solid transition around 3.0 GPa and a solid-solid transition around 12.3 GPa. The intensity ratio of the Raman modes related to all-trans conformation (1130 cm-1 and 2850 cm-1) to that of gauche conformation (1090 cm-1 and 2922 cm-1) suggests an increase in the gauche population conformers above 12.3 GPa. This is accompanied with broadening of Raman modes above 12.3 GPa. The high-pressure phase of n-pentane above 12.3 GPa is a disordered phase where the carbon chains are kinked. The pressure-induced order-disorder phase transition is different from the behavior of higher hydrocarbon like n-heptane.     

n-Heptane under pressure: structure and dynamics from molecular simulations

Atomistic molecular dynamics simulations have been performed in the isothermal-isobaric ensemble to explore the phase behavior of n-heptane. Motivated by recent high-pressure spectroscopic experiments on n-heptane, the present work aims at understanding the liquid-solid and the alluded to solid-solid transitions upon increasing pressure. Starting from the stabilized solid phase at 300 K and 10 kbar, we have investigated the range of these two transitions by a gradual decrease and increase of pressure, respectively. Although the solid-liquid transition has clear signatures such as the formation of gauche defects along the molecular backbone, the present model does not show any sign of a first-order solid-solid transition at high pressures. However, interesting changes in the environment around methyl groups and in their dynamics are observed. These have been substantiated by calculations of the vibrational density of states obtained from a normal-mode analysis and from the simulation trajectory.     

Raman scattering study of high-pressure phase transition in thiourea

A high-pressure Raman spectroscopic study of phase transitions in thiourea is reported. The changes in the Raman spectra with increasing and decreasing pressure have been followed to a maximum pressure of approximately 11 GPa. We observe several changes in the spectra including splitting of modes, appearance of new modes, and sudden change in the slope of the frequency-pressure curve at several pressures. On the basis of this study, we propose the existence of three more transitions in this system to phases VII, VIII, and IX at approximately 1, 3, and 6.1 GPa, respectively, in addition to the V-VI phase transition at 0.35 GPa reported earlier. All the transitions have been found to be completely reversible. We interpret these changes in terms of symmetry-lowering phase transitions.     

Phase transitions and hindered rotation in dimethylacetylene at high pressures probed by Raman spectroscopy

We present Raman spectroscopy experiments in dimethylacetylene (DMA) using a sapphire anvil cell up to 4 GPa at room temperature. DMA presents phase transitions at 0.2 GPa (liquid to phase I) and 0.9 GPa, which have been characterized by changes in the Raman spectrum of the sample. At pressures above 2.6 GPa several bands split into two components, suggesting an additional phase transition. The Raman spectrum of the sample above 2.6 GPa is identical to that found for the monoclinic phase II (C2/m) at low temperatures, except for an additional splitting of the band assigned to the fourfold degenerated asymmetric methyl stretch. The global analysis of the Raman spectra suggests that the observed splitting is due to the loss of degeneracy of the methyl groups of the DMA molecule in phase II. According to the above interpretation, crystal phase II of DMA extends from 0.9 GPa to pressures close to 4 GPa. Between 0.9 and 2.6 GPa, the methyl groups of the DMA molecules rotate almost freely, but the rotation is hindered on further compression.     

Crystal structure of nitromethane up to the reaction threshold pressure

Angle dispersion X-ray diffraction (AXDX) experiments on nitromethane single crystals and powder were performed at room temperature as a function of pressure up to 19.0 and 27.3 GPa, respectively, in a membrane diamond anvil cell (MDAC). The atomic positions were refined at 1.1, 3.2, 7.6, 11.0, and 15.0 GPa using the single-crystal data, while the equation of state (EOS) was extended up to 27.3 GPa, which is close to the nitromethane decomposition threshold pressure at room temperature in static conditions. The crystal structure was found to be orthorhombic, space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), with four molecules per unit cell, up to the highest pressure. In contrast, the molecular geometry undergoes an important change consisting of a gradual blocking of the methyl group libration about the C-N bond axis, starting just above the melting pressure and completed only between 7.6 and 11.0 GPa. Above this pressure, the orientation of the methyl group is quasi-eclipsed with respect to the NO bonds. This conformation allows the buildup of networks of strong intermolecular O...H-C interactions mainly in the bc and ac planes, stabilizing the crystal structure. This structural evolution determines important modifications in the IR and Raman spectra, occurring around 10 GPa. Present measurements of the Raman and IR vibrational spectra as a function of pressure at different temperatures evidence the existence of a kinetic barrier for this internal rearrangement.     

High-pressure Raman scattering of MgMoO4

In this paper, we present results of high-pressure Raman scattering studies in β-MgMoO₄ from atmospheric to 8.5 GPa. The experiments were carried out using methanol–ethanol as pressure medium. By analyzing the pressure dependence of the Raman data (change in the number of lattice modes, splitting of bands and wavenumber discontinuities) we were able to observe a phase transition undergone by the β-MgMoO₄ at 1.4 GPa, which is only completed at ∼5 GPa. The transition was observed to be irreversible and the modifications in the Raman spectra were attributed to the changes in coordination of Mo ions from tetrahedral to octahedral. The transition possibly changes the original C2/m symmetry to C2/m or to P2/c. Implication on the phase transition for similar molybdate structures, such as α-MnMoO₄, is also highlighted.     

Pressure induced phase transitions in hydroquinone

High pressure behavior of alpha-hydroquinone (1,4-dihydroxybenzene) has been studied using Raman spectroscopy up to pressures of 19 GPa. Evolution of Raman spectra suggests two transitions around 3.3 and 12.0 GPa. The first transition appears to be associated with the lowering of crystal symmetry. Above 12.0 GPa, Raman bands in the internal modes region exhibit continuous broadening suggesting that the system is progressively evolving into a disordered state. This disorder is understood as arising due to distortion of the hydrogen-bonded cage across the second transition around 12 GPa.     

High pressure Raman spectra of l-glutamic acid hydrochloride crystal

Semiorganic nonlinear optical single crystal l-glutamic acid hydrochloride has been studied by Raman spectroscopy under high pressure conditions. Our results show that this amino acid crystal presents one structural phase transition at about 2.1 GPa and one molecular conformational change around 7.5 GPa. If we compare such behavior with that of the l-glutamic acid crystal in the same range of pressure we note a great stability for the hydrochloride samples. The chloride ion plays an important role increasing the number of the hydrogen bonds that hold the crystal together and thus, contributing to improve the structural stability of the crystal.     

High-pressure x-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy of ice VIII

In situ high-pressure/low-temperature synchrotron x-ray diffraction and optical Raman spectroscopy were used to examine the structural properties, equation of state, and vibrational dynamics of ice VIII. The x-ray measurements show that the pressure-volume relations remain smooth up to 23 GPa at 80 K. Although there is no evidence for structural changes to at least 14 GPa, the unit-cell axial ratio ca undergoes changes at 10-14 GPa. Raman measurements carried out at 80 K show that the nu(Tz)A(1g)+nuT(x,y)E(g) lattice modes for the Raman spectra of ice VIII in the lower-frequency regions (50-800 cm(-1)) disappear at around 10 GPa, and then a new peak of approximately 150 cm(-1) appears at 14 GPa. The combined data provide evidence for a transition beginning near 10 GPa. The results are consistent with recent synchrotron far-IR measurements and theoretical calculations. The decompressed phase recovered at ambient pressure transforms to low-density amorphous ice when heated to approximately 125 K.     

Raman spectroscopy under high pressures and DFT calculations of the amino acid l-glutamine

l-glutamine crystal was obtained by the slow evaporation method and its crystallographic structure was verified by X-ray diffraction experiments and the Rietveld method. The vibrational modes of l-glutamine were investigated through Raman spectroscopy and the normal modes were obtained using the Density Functional Theory with the B3LYP functional and set of bases 6-31G++(d, p). With such approach, it was possible to make a theoretical-experimental comparison of the results obtained and to furnish a more precise assignment of the normal modes. The crystal was submitted to high pressure conditions and the Raman spectra between 3055 and 40 cm⁻¹ were recorded for pressures up to 6.1 GPa in a diamond anvil cell. This study allowed us to understand that the crystal undergoes a reversible structural phase transition around 4.0 GPa, characterized mainly by spectral changes in the region of the external modes.     

X‐Ray Diffraction and Mössbauer Spectroscopy Studies of Pressure‐Induced Phase Transitions in a Mixed‐Valence Trinuclear Iron Complex

The mixed‐valence complex Fe₃O(cyanoacetate)₆(H₂O)₃ ( 1 ) has been studied by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis at pressures up to 5.3(1) GPa and by (synchrotron) Mössbauer spectroscopy at pressures up to 8(1) GPa. Crystal structure refinements were possible up to 4.0(1) GPa. In this pressure range, 1 undergoes two pressure‐induced phase transitions. The first phase transition at around 3 GPa is isosymmetric and involves a 60° rotation of 50 % of the cyanoacetate ligands. The second phase transition at around 4 GPa reduces the symmetry from rhombohedral to triclinic. Mössbauer spectra show that the complex becomes partially valence‐trapped after the second phase transition. This sluggish pressure‐induced valence‐trapping is in contrast to the very abrupt valence‐trapping observed when compound 1 is cooled from 130 to 120 K at ambient pressure.     

Pressure-induced phase transitions in LiNH2

In situ high-pressure Raman spectroscopy studies on LiNH2 (lithium amide) have been performed at pressures up to 25 GPa. The pressure-induced changes in the Raman spectra of LiNH2 indicates a phase transition that begins at approximately 12 GPa is complete at approximately 14 GPa from ambient-pressure alpha-LiNH2 (tetragonal, I) to a high-pressure phase denoted here as beta-LiNH2. This phase transition is reversible upon decompression with the recovery of the alpha-LiNH2 phase at approximately 8 GPa. The N-H internal stretching modes (nu([NH2]-)) display an increase in frequency with pressure, and a new stretching mode corresponding to high-pressure beta-LiNH2 phase appears at approximately 12.5 GPa. Beyond approximately 14 GPa, the N-H stretching modes settle into two shouldered peaks at lower frequencies. The lattice modes show rich pressure dependence exhibiting multiple splitting and become well-resolved at pressures above approximately 14 GPa. This is indicative of orientational ordering [NH2]- ions in the lattice of the high-pressure beta-LiNH2 phase.     

Structural Properties of Nitromethane Molecular Crystal under High Pressure： An ab initio Investigation

The pressure-dependent structural properties under hydrostatic pressure up to 120 GPa and the decomposition under uniaxial compression along the b lattice vector up to 40 GPa of nitromethane molecular crystal using ab initio method are presented. The internal molecular bond lengths and bond angles were calculated for different pressures. All bond lengths decrease as the pressures are increased under hydrostatic compression. The obvious rotation of methyl group is 33.89° under hydrostatic pressure at 120 GPa. In addition, we observe the change of C-H bonds, which have been stretched under uniaxial compression along b lattice vector in the range of 0-40 GPa of nitromethane.     

High pressure Raman scattering study on the phase stability of LuVO4

High pressure Raman spectroscopic investigations have been carried out on rare earth orthovanadate LuVO₄ upto 26 GPa. Changes in the Raman spectrum around 8 GPa across the reported zircon to scheelite transition are investigated in detail and compared with those observed in other vanadates. Co-existence of the zircon and scheelite phases is observed over a pressure range of about 8-13 GPa. The zircon to scheelite transition is irreversible upon pressure release. Subtle changes are observed in the Raman spectrum above 16 GPa which could be related to scheelite ↔ fergusonite transition. Pressure dependencies of the Raman active modes in the zircon and the scheelite phases are reported.     

Phonon behavior of CaSnO3 perovskite under pressure

Raman scattering and x-ray diffraction studies of CaSnO(3) perovskite were performed under high-pressure conditions. This high-pressure study was motivated by a recent theoretical study predicting a phase transition in CaSnO(3) from GdFeO(3)-type perovskite to CaIrO(3)-type structure occurred at 12 GPa. Despite no obvious structure change up to a pressure of 26 GPa based on the x-ray diffraction data, high pressure Raman measurements revealed that some Raman modes disappeared upon compression; either merging into neighboring bands or vanishing. The signals for these Raman peaks were recovered during decompression. The measured pressure derivative of Raman shift (?ν∕?P) of CaSnO(3) ranged from ~1.29 to ~4.35, up to 20 GPa. Due to the lack of lattice dynamic study for CaSnO(3) perovskite, the mode symmetry for CaSnO(3) was tentatively assigned based on the empirical relation among Ca-bearing perovskites. The pressure derivative of the Raman shifts was found to be related to their mode vibrations: modes related to Ca and O shifts had a strong pressure dependence compared with those associated with oxygen octahedral rotation.     

High pressure Raman spectroscopy of single crystals of hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX)

To gain insight into the high-pressure polymorphism of RDX, an energetic crystal, Raman spectroscopy results were obtained for hydrostatic (up to 15 GPa) and non-hydrostatic (up to 22 GPa) compressions. Several distinct changes in the spectra were found at 4.0 +/- 0.3 GPa, confirming the alpha-gamma phase transition previously observed in polycrystalline samples. Detailed analyses of pressure-induced changes in the internal and external (lattice) modes revealed several features above 4 GPa: (i) splitting of both the A' and A' ' internal modes, (ii) a significant increase in the pressure dependence of the Raman shift for NO2 modes, and (iii) no apparent change in the number of external modes. It is proposed that the alpha-gamma phase transition leads to a rearrangement between the RDX molecules, which in turn significantly changes the intermolecular interaction experienced by the N-O bonds. Symmetry correlation analyses indicate that the gamma-polymorph may assume one of the three orthorhombic structures: D2h, C2v, or D2. On the basis of the available X-ray data, the D2h factor group is favored over the other structures, and it is proposed that gamma-phase RDX has a space group isomorphous with a point group D2h with eight molecules occupying the C1 symmetry sites, similar to the alpha-phase. It is believed that the factor group splitting can account for the observed increase in the number of modes in the gamma-phase. Spatial mapping of Raman modes in a non-hydrostatically compressed crystal up to 22 GPa revealed a large difference in mode position indicating a pressure gradient across the crystal. No apparent irreversible changes in the Raman spectra were observed under non-hydrostatic compression.     

High-pressure effects in pyrene crystals: vibrational spectroscopy

The response of pyrene crystals to high pressure was examined using Raman and FTIR spectroscopies. Raman spectra of external and internal modes were measured up to 11 GPa. Changes in the external modes were observed at approximately 0.3 GPa, indicating the onset of a phase transition. We demonstrated that at this pressure pyrene I (P2(1)/a, 4 mol/unit cell) transforms to pyrene III (P2(1)/a, 2 mol/unit cell). Further increase of pressure produced a gradual broadening of the internal modes and an increase of fluorescence background, indicating the formation of another phase above 2.0 GPa. Irreversible chemical changes were observed upon gradual compression to 40 GPa. FTIR spectroscopy of the recovered product indicated a transformation of pyrene into an amorphous hydrogenated carbon (a-C:H) structure.     

Structural, electronic, and dynamical properties of methane under high pressure

The electronic structure and lattice dynamical properties of solid methane under high pressure have been studied based on density functional theory. We identify a cubic structure with space group of I43m below 14 GPa, the Pmn2(1) structure in the range of 14-21 GPa, and the P2(1)/c structure from 21 to 65 GPa. Our obtained Raman spectra of the P2(1)/c structure agree well with the typical Raman active modes in the available experimental data. At 65 GPa, methane undergoes a phase transition from P2(1)/c to Pnma. The structures with P2(1)/c and Pnma symmetries are insulating, and under any pressure studied methane always remains in molecular form. For Pnma phase, the orientational ordering of CH(4) molecules varies significantly at 79, 88, and 92 GPa, and by further increasing pressure the rotation of the molecules freezes and orientational ordering remains unchanged.     

H2O and D2 mixtures under pressure: spectroscopy and proton exchange kinetics

We have investigated the pressure-induced spectral changes and the proton exchange reactions of D(2)-H(2)O mixtures to 64 GPa using micro-Raman spectroscopy. The results show the profound difference in the rotational and vibrational Raman spectra of hydrogen isotopes from those of the pure samples, showing the vibrational modes at higher frequencies and continuing to increase with pressure without apparent turnover. This indicates the repulsive nature of D(2)-H(2)O interaction without hydrogen bonds between the two and, thus, interstitial fillings of D(2) molecules into the bcc-like ice lattice. The spectral analysis using the Morse potential yields a hydrogen bond distance of 0.734 ? at 6 GPa--slightly shorter than that in pure--attributed to the repulsive interaction. The pressure-dependent spectral changes suggest that the proton-ordering transition in the ice lattice occurs over a large pressure range between 28 and 50 GPa, which is substantially lower than that of pure ice (40-80 GPa). This again indicates the presence of high internal pressure arising from the repulsive interaction. The Raman spectra show evidences that the proton exchange occurs in various phases including in solid D(2) and H(2)O mixtures. Based on the time-dependent spectral changes, we obtained the proton exchange rates of k ~ 0.085 h(-1) at 0.2 GPa in fluid D(2) and water mixtures, k ~ 0.03 h(-1) and 0.003 h(-1) at 2 GPa and 4 GPa, respectively, in fluid D(2)-ice mixtures, and k ~ 10(-3) h(-1) at 8 GPa in solid D(2) and ice mixtures.