title: X-ray-induced dissociation of H2O and formation of an O2-H2 alloy at high pressure.
abstract: When subjected to high pressure and extensive x-radiation, water (H2O) molecules cleaved, forming O-O and H-H bonds. The oxygen (O) and hydrogen (H) framework in ice VII was converted into a molecular alloy of O2 and H2. X-ray diffraction, x-ray Raman scattering, and optical Raman spectroscopy demonstrated that this crystalline solid differs from previously known phases. It remained stable with respect to variations in pressure, temperature, and further x-ray and laser exposure, thus opening new possibilities for studying molecular interactions in the hydrogen-oxygen binary system.
authors.affiliation: Los Alamos Neutron Science Center, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA.
authors.forename: Wendy L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.forename: Ho-Kwang
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.forename: Yue
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Eng
authors.forename: Michael Y
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chow
authors.forename: Yong Q
authors.initials: YQ
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: Jinfu
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shu
authors.forename: Russell J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Hemley