Formation of rutile-type Ta(IV)O2 by shock reduction and cation-deficient Ta0.8O2 by subsequent oxidation

Ta₂O₅ is reduced to Ta(IV)O₂ with the rutile structure by shock-loading to 50–60 GPa. Tetragonal unit cell parameters at room conditions are measured to be a = 4.7518(5)Å, c = 3.0878(4) Å, $\text{c}\text{a}\text{= 0.6498(1)}$, and V = 69.72(1) ų. The chemical composition is thermogravimetrically determined to be Ta_0.97±0.04O₂ by heating shock-reduced products in an oxygen gas flow to 1200°C. In the oxidation process a cation-deficient rutile-type compound Ta_0.8O₂ is found to be metastably formed.