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Title: Hydrogen bond effects on compressional behavior of isotypic minerals: high-pressure polymorphism of cristobalite-like Be(OH)2

Journal Article · · Physics and Chemistry of Minerals
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [4];  [5]
  1. Univ. of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI (United States); Carnegie Institution of Washington
  2. Univ. of Arizona, Tucson, AZ (United States); Arizona Historical Society, Phoenix, AZ (United States)
  3. Arizona Historical Society, Phoenix, AZ (United States)
  4. Univ. Wien (Austria)
  5. Univ. of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI (United States)

Three isotypic crystals, SiO2 (α-cristobalite), ε-Zn(OH)2 (wülfingite), and Be(OH)2 (β-behoite), with topologically identical frameworks of corner-connected tetrahedra, undergo displacive compression drivenphase transitions at similar pressures (1.5–2.0 GPa), but each transition is characterized by a different mechanism resulting in different structural modifications. In this study, we report the crystal structure of the high pressure γ-phase of beryllium hydroxide and compare it with the high pressure structures of the other two minerals. In Be(OH)2, the transition from the ambient β-behoite phase with the orthorhombic space group P212121 and ambient unit cell parameters a = 4.5403(4) Å, b = 4.6253(5) Å, c = 7.0599(7) Å, to the high pressure orthorhombic γ-polymorph with space group Fdd2 and unit cell parameters (at 5.3(1) GPa) a = 5.738(2) Å, b = 6.260(3) Å, c = 7.200(4) Å takes place between 1.7 and 3.6 GPa. This transition is essentially second order, is accompanied by a negligible volume discontinuity, and exhibits both displacive and reversible character. The mechanism of the phase transition results in a change to the hydrogen bond connectivities and rotation of the BeO4 tetrahedra.

Research Organization:
Carnegie Inst. of Washington, Argonne, IL (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
Grant/Contract Number:
NA0002006
OSTI ID:
1338333
Journal Information:
Physics and Chemistry of Minerals, Journal Name: Physics and Chemistry of Minerals Journal Issue: 8 Vol. 43; ISSN 0342-1791
Publisher:
SpringerCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English