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Title: Synthesis of Xenon and Iron-Nickel Intermetallic Compounds at Earth’s Core Thermodynamic Conditions

Journal Article · · Physical Review Letters
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [4];  [1];  [5];  [6];  [6]
  1. Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States). Physical and Life Sciences Directorate
  2. University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon Saskatchewan (Canada). Department of Physics and Engineering Physics; Canadian Light Source, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (Canada)
  3. Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei (China). Key Laboratory of Materials Physics and Center for Energy Matter in Extreme Environments; Carnegie Inst. of Washington, Washington, DC (United States). Geophysical Laboratory; University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei (China)
  4. Carnegie Inst. of Washington, Washington, DC (United States). Geophysical Laboratory; Sobolev Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, Siberian Branch Russian Academy of Science, Novosibirsk (Russia)
  5. Carnegie Inst. of Washington, Washington, DC (United States). Geophysical Laboratory
  6. Univ. of Chicago, IL (United States). Center for Advanced Radiation Sources

In this study, using in situ synchrotron x-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy in concert with first principles calculations we demonstrate the synthesis of stable Xe(Fe ,Fe/Ni)3 and XeNi3 compounds at thermodynamic conditions representative of Earth’s core. Surprisingly, in the case of both the Xe-Fe and Xe-Ni systems Fe and Ni become highly electronegative and can act as oxidants. In conclusion, the results indicate the changing chemical properties of elements under extreme conditions by documenting that electropositive at ambient pressure elements could gain electrons and form anions.

Research Organization:
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States); Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRC) (United States). Energy Frontier Research in Extreme Environments (EFree)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES) (SC-22)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC52-07NA27344; SC0001057; FG02-94ER14466; AC02-05CH11231; AC02-06CH11357
OSTI ID:
1426136
Report Number(s):
LLNL-JRNL--729319
Journal Information:
Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 120; ISSN 0031-9007; ISSN PRLTAO
Publisher:
American Physical Society (APS)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Cited By (4)

Discovery of Cu 3 Pb journal September 2018
Discovery of Cu 3 Pb journal September 2018
The Xe‐SiO 2 System at Moderate Pressure and High Temperature journal February 2019
Helium-hydrogen immiscibility at high pressures journal March 2019

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