Thermodynamics of diamond formation from hydrocarbon mixtures in planets

Cheng, Bingqing; Hamel, Sebastien; Bethkenhagen, Mandy

doi:10.1038/s41467-023-36841-1

Title: Thermodynamics of diamond formation from hydrocarbon mixtures in planets

Journal Article · Mon Feb 27 00:00:00 EST 2023 · Nature Communications

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-36841-1· OSTI ID:2315099

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Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Klosterneuberg (Austria)
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
University of Lyon (France); Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Klosterneuberg (Austria)

Hydrocarbon mixtures are extremely abundant in the Universe, and diamond formation from them can play a crucial role in shaping the interior structure and evolution of planets. With first-principles accuracy, we first estimate the melting line of diamond, and then reveal the nature of chemical bonding in hydrocarbons at extreme conditions. We finally establish the pressure-temperature phase boundary where it is thermodynamically possible for diamond to form from hydrocarbon mixtures with different atomic fractions of carbon. Notably, here we show a depletion zone at pressures above 200 GPa and temperatures below 3000 K-3500 K where diamond formation is thermodynamically favorable regardless of the carbon atomic fraction, due to a phase separation mechanism. The cooler condition of the interior of Neptune compared to Uranus means that the former is much more likely to contain the depletion zone. Our findings can help explain the dichotomy of the two ice giants manifested by the low luminosity of Uranus, and lead to a better understanding of (exo-)planetary formation and evolution.

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Research Organization:: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC); USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program; European Horizon 2020

Grant/Contract Number:: AC52-07NA27344; EP/P020259/1; 19-ERD-031; 894725

OSTI ID:: 2315099

Report Number(s):: LLNL-JRNL-859674; 1055535

Journal Information:: Nature Communications, Vol. 14, Issue 1; ISSN 2041-1723

Publisher:: Nature Publishing GroupCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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