New Cubic Phase of Li3N: Stability of the N3- Ion to 200 GPa

Diamond-anvil cell experiments augmented by first-principles calculations have found a remarkable stability of the N3- ion in Li3N to a sixfold volume reduction. A new (γ) phase is discovered above 40(±5) GPa, with an 8% volume collapse and a band gap quadrupling at the transition determined by synchrotron x-ray diffraction and inelastic x-ray scattering. γ-Li3N (Fm3m, Li3Bi-like structure) remains stable up to 200 GPa, and calculations do not predict metallization until ∼8 TPa. The high structural stability, wide band gap, and simple electronic structure make this N3- based system analogous to lower valency compounds (MgO, NaCl, Ne), meriting its use as an internal pressure standard