Published February 27, 2004 | Version v1
Journal article

Pressure induced self-oxidation of Fe(OH)2

  • 1. MST-10, MS-K764, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545 (United States)
  • 2. School of Physics and Astronomy, Tel Aviv University, 69978, Tel Aviv (Israel)
  • 3. Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720 (United States)

Description

Moessbauer spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, and electrical resistance [R(P,T)] studies in Fe(OH)2 to 40 GPa revealed an unforeseen process by which a gradual Fe2+ oxidation takes place, starting at ∼8 GPa reaching 70% Fe3+ abundance at 40 GPa. The nonreversible process Fe2+→Fe3++e- occurs with no structural transition. The 'ejected' electrons form a deep band within the high-pressure electronic manifold becoming weakly localized at P>50 GPa. This process is attributed to an effective ionization potential created by the pressure induced orientationally deformed (OH) dipoles and the unusual small binding energy of the valence electron in Fe2+(OH)2

Additional details

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Physical Review Letters
Journal Volume
92
Journal Issue
8
Journal Page Range
p. 085506-085506.4
ISSN
0031-9007
CODEN
PRLTAO

Optional Information

Notes
(c) 2004 The American Physical Society