Phase Diagram of Carbon Dioxide: Evidence for a New Associated Phase

The stability of CO ₂ phases has been investigated up to 50 GPa and 750 K by in situ Raman spectroscopy and visual observations using externally heated diamond-anvil cells. A new phase (CO ₂-II) exists above 20 GPa and 500 K, which can be quenched to ambient temperature. The vibrational spectrum of this new CO ₂ polymorph suggests the dimeric pairing of molecules. Based on the present in situ data and previous laser-heating results, we present new constraints for the phase diagram of carbon dioxide to 50 GPa and 2000 K. We find that carbon dioxide exhibits dramatic changes, both in the molecular configuration and in the nature of intermolecular interaction at high pressures and temperatures.