Phase relations in the Fe-P system at high pressures and temperatures from ab initio computations

ABSTRACT

Based on the first-principles calculations within the density functional theory and crystal structure prediction algorithms iron phosphide phases stable under pressure of the Earth’s core and temperatures up to 4000?K were determined. A new low-temperature modification FeP-P2₁/c stable above ～75?GPa was predicted. Fe₂P with the allabogdanite structure has been established to be stable in the low-temperature region at ambient conditions. At 750?K it transforms into the barringerite structure. The transition from Fe₃P with schreibersite structure to Fe₃P-Cmcm was observed at 27?GPa, and the phase transition boundary is nearly isobaric. Fe₂P and FeP are thermodynamically stable at the Earth’s inner core pressures and 0?K according to the obtained results, whereas Fe₃P stabilizes with respect to decomposition to Fe?+?Fe₂P at high temperatures above ～3200?K.