title: First-order phase transition in the Li2B12H12 system.
abstract: The thermal decomposition of anhydrous Pa3[combining macron] Li2B12H12 was studied in situ by high resolution synchrotron X-ray diffraction. A first-order phase transition can be observed at 355 °C where the unit cell volume expands by ca. 8.7%. The expanded β-Li2B12H12 polymorph simultaneously decomposes to a hydrogen poor γ-Li2B12H12-x phase. Expansion of the unit cell across the discontinuity is consistent with reorientational motion of B12H12(2-) anions, and the presence of a frustrated Li(+) lattice indicating Li ion conduction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Imaging and Applied Physics, Fuels and Energy Technology Institute, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth 6845, WA, Australia. mark.paskevicius@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Paskevicius
authors.forename: Mark P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Pitt
authors.forename: David H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Drew A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Sheppard
authors.forename: Somwan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chumphongphan
authors.forename: Craig E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Buckley