In situ determination of crystal structure for high pressure phase of ZrO2 using a diamond anvil and single crystal X-ray diffraction method

Abstract

Combining a miniature diamond-anvil pressure cell with a single crystal four-circle diffractometer, the crystal structure of a synthetic ZrO2 has been studied in situ up to 51 kbar at room temperature. The space group of the unquenchable orthorhombic high pressure phase is Pbcm. The directions of the b and c axes are preserved through the transition and the transformation is displacive. The coordination configurations of the Zr atoms and oxygen atoms are the same in the high pressure and low pressure phases. The orthorhombic high pressure phase has a higher entropy than that of low pressure monoclinic phase.