Structural evolution of (Ca 0.35Sr 0.65)TiO 3 perovskite at high pressures

Abstract

Lattice parameters of a synthetic powder sample of Ca 0.35Sr 0.65TiO 3 perovskite have been determined by the method of Le Bail refinement, using synchrotron X-ray diffraction patterns collected at pressures up to 15.5 GPa with a membrane-driven diamond anvil cell. At ambient conditions, diffraction data were consistent with the I4/ mcm structure reported previously in the literature for the same composition. Diffraction data collected at high pressures were consistent with tetragonal (or, at least, pseudo-tetragonal) lattice geometry, and no evidence was found for the development of any of the orthorhombic structures identified in other studies of (Ca, Sr)TiO 3 perovskites. Additional weak reflections, which could not be accounted for by the normal I4/ mcm perovskite structure, were detected in diffraction patterns collected at pressures of 0.9–2.5 GPa, and above ∼13.5 GPa, however. Small anomalies in the evolution of unit cell volume and tetragonal strain were observed near 3 GPa, coinciding approximately with breaks in slope with increasing pressure of bulk and shear moduli for a sample with the same composition which had previously been reported. The anomalies could be due either to new tetragonal↔tetragonal/pseudo-tetragonal phase transitions or to subtle changes in compression mechanism of the tetragonal perovskite structure.