On α-β phase transition in cristobalite-type Al1-x Ga x PO4 (0.00≤x≤1.00)

The results of variable temperature powder X-ray diffraction and differential thermal analysis (DTA) studies on the orthorhombic (α) low-cristobalite to cubic (β) high-cristobalite phase transition for Al1-x Ga x PO4, (0.00≤x≤1.00) are presented. These studies reveal that all these compositions undergo reversible phase transitions from orthorhombic to cubic form at higher temperature. The high-temperature behavior of GaPO4 is observed to have a different behavior compared to all other compositions in this series. Orthorhombic low-cristobalite-type GaPO4 transforms to cubic high-cristobalite form at ∼605 deg. C. Above ∼700 deg. C, the cubic high-cristobalite-type GaPO4 slowly transforms to trigonal quartz type structure. At about 960 deg. C, the quartz type GaPO4 transforms back to the cubic high-cristobalite form. During cooling cycles the cubic phase of GaPO4 reverts to trigonal quartz type phase. However, annealing of GaPO4 at higher temperatures for longer duration can stabilize the orthorhombic low cristobalite phase. The phase transition temperatures and associated enthalpies are related to the change in unit cell volume and the orthorhombicity of the respective low cristobalite lattice. - Graphical abstract: The cristobalite-type GaPO4 relaxed slowly to quartz type modification above 700 deg. C (as indicated by a broad exotherm in inset)