title: Structural study of α-Bi2O3 under pressure.
abstract: An experimental and theoretical study of the structural properties of monoclinic bismuth oxide (α-Bi2O3) under high pressures is here reported. Both synthetic and mineral bismite powder samples have been compressed up to 45 GPa and their equations of state have been determined with angle-dispersive x-ray diffraction measurements. Experimental results have been also compared with theoretical calculations which suggest the possibility of several phase transitions below 10 GPa. However, experiments reveal only a pressure-induced amorphization between 15 and 25 GPa, depending on sample quality and deviatoric stresses. The amorphous phase has been followed up to 45 GPa and its nature discussed.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Diseño para la Fabricación y Producción Automatizada, MALTA Consolider Team, Universitat Politècnica de Valencia, E-46022 València, Spain.
authors.forename: A L J
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Errandonea
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Beltrán
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gracia
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Gomis
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Sans
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: García-Domene
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Miquel-Veyrat
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Manjón
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Muñoz
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Popescu