Compression and phase diagram of lithium hydrides at elevated pressures and temperatures by first-principles calculations

TL;DR

This study uses first-principles calculations to explore the high-pressure and high-temperature phase diagram, equation of state, and shock properties of lithium hydrides, revealing significant isotopic and thermal effects on phase boundaries.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive first-principles analysis of lithium hydrides' phase diagram, EOS, and shock behavior, including new predictions of phase boundaries and melting points under extreme conditions.

Findings

The EOS matches experimental data and shock wave results.

The B1-B2 phase boundary and triple point are identified at high pressures and temperatures.

Isotopic and thermal effects significantly shift phase boundaries.

Abstract

High pressure and high temperature properties of AB (A = $^6$Li, $^7$Li; B = H, D, T) are investigated with first-principles method comprehensively. It is found that the H$^{-}$ sublattice features in the low-pressure electronic structure near the Fermi level of LiH are shifted to that dominated by the Li$^{+}$ sublattice in compression. The lattice dynamics is studied in quasi-harmonic approximation, from which the phonon contribution to the free energy and the isotopic effects are accurately modelled with the aid of a parameterized double-Debye model. The obtained equation of state (EOS) matches perfectly with available static experimental data. The calculated principal Hugoniot is also in accordance with that derived from shock wave experiments. Using the calculated principal Hugoniot and the previous theoretical melting curve, we predict a shock melting point at 56 GPa and 1923 K. In order to establish the phase diagram for LiH, the phase boundaries between the B1 and B2 solid phases are explored. The B1-B2-liquid triple point is determined at about 241 GPa and 2413 K. The remarkable shift in the phase boundaries by isotopic effect and temperature reveal the significant role played by lattice vibrations. Furthermore, the Hugoniot of the static-dynamic coupling compression is assessed. Our EOS suggests that a precompression of the sample to 50 GPa will allow the shock Hugoniot passing through the triple point and entering the B2 solid phase. This transition leads to a discontinuity with 4.6% volume collapse, about four times greater than the same B1-B2 transition at zero temperature.