X-Ray-Induced Dissociation of H2O and Formation of an O2-H2 Alloy at High Pressure

摘要

A novel molecular alloy of O₂ and H₂ and a method of producing such a molecular alloy are provided. When subjected to high pressure and extensive x-radiation, H₂O molecules cleaved, forming O—O and H—H bonds. In the method of the present invention, the O and H framework in ice VII was converted into a molecular alloy of O₂ and H₂. X-ray diffraction, x-ray Raman scattering, and optical Raman spectroscopy demonstrate that this crystalline solid differs from previously known phases.