Sb2O4 at high pressures and high temperatures

Investigations on Sb2O4 at high pressure and temperature have been performed up to 600oC and up to 27.3GPa. The so-called 'high temperature' phase (β-Sb2O4) was obtained following pressure increase at ambient temperature and at relatively low temperatures. Thus, in contrast to previous perceptions, β-Sb2O4 is the modification more stable at high pressures, i.e., at low temperatures. The fact that the metastable α-form is typically obtained through the conventional way of preparation has to be attributed to kinetic effects. The pressure-induced phase transitions have been monitored by in-situ X-ray diffraction in a diamond anvil cell, and confirmed ex-situ, by X-ray diffraction at ambient conditions, following temperature decrease and decompression in large volume devices. Bulk modulus values have been derived from the pressure-induced volume changes at room temperature, and are 143GPa for α-Sb2O4 and 105GPa for the β-Sb2O4