Compression of Zr2InC to 52GPa

Abstract

Using a synchrotron-radiation source and a diamond-anvil cell, we measured the pressure dependence of the lattice parameters of a polycrystalline Zr2InC sample. Up to a pressure of 52GPa, no phase transformations were observed. As observed in Ti3SiC2 and Ti3Si0.5Ge0.5C2, the compressibility of Zr2InC along the c axis was greater than along the a axis. The bulk modulus is 127±5GPa, with a pressure derivative of 4.25±0.3; the former is in excellent agreement with our ab initio calculations (130.9GPa). The a(3.367Å) and c(15.100Å) parameters from the ab initio calculations are also slightly larger than those measured here, viz., 3.35 and 14.91Å. Surprisingly, a hysteresis was observed in the a-lattice parameters; they were higher upon unloading than loading. The reason for this hysteresis is not clear at this time.