Anomalous pressure-induced phase transformation in nano-crystalline erbium sesquioxide (Er2O3): partial amorphization under compression |
| |
| Authors: | Xiangting Ren Xiaozhi Yan Pei Wang Yu Li Shanmin Wang Fang Peng |
| |
| Institution: | 1. Institute of Atomic and Molecular Physics, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, People's Republic of China;2. Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research, 1690 Cailun Rd, Pudong, Shanghai 201203, People's Republic of China |
| |
| Abstract: | Nanophase materials have novel physical and chemical properties, differing from bulk materials. It is of exceptional interest to investigate the size effect on structural stability in nanocrystals. Here, we investigated pressure-induced phase transitions in nanosized Er2O3 using angle-dispersive synchrotron X-ray diffraction up to 40.6 GPa. Nano-Er2O3 has enhanced transition pressure and higher bulk modulus (K0) than its bulk counterparts. Amorphous Er2O3 nanoclusters with traces of monoclinic phase are obtained upon compression. This is the first time that partial amorphous structure under compression was observed in nano-Er2O3, indicating a kinetic trapping of partial amorphous Er2O3 on pressurizing. |
| |
| Keywords: | nanocrystalline Er2O3 synchrotron X-ray diffraction high pressure elevated transformation pressure partial amorphization |
|
|
