文摘
We have performed an experimental study of the crystal structure, lattice dynamics, and optical properties of silver chromate (Ag2CrO4) at ambient temperature and high pressures. In particular, the crystal structure, Raman-active phonons, and electronic band gap have been accurately determined. When the initial orthorhombic Pnma Ag2CrO4 structure (phase I) is compressed up to 4.5 GPa, a previously undetected phase (phase II) has been observed with a 0.95% volume collapse. The structure of phase II can be indexed to a similar orthorhombic cell as phase I, and the transition can be considered to be an isostructural transition. This collapse is mainly due to the drastic contraction of the a axis (1.3%). A second phase transition to phase III occurs at 13 GPa to a structure not yet determined. First-principles calculations have been unable to reproduce the isostructural phase transition, but they propose the stabilization of a spinel-type structure at 11 GPa. This phase is not detected in experiments probably because of the presence of kinetic barriers. Experiments and calculations therefore seem to indicate that a new structural and electronic description is required to model the properties of silver chromate.