Equations of state of new boron-rich selenides B$_6$Se and B$_{12}$Se

TL;DR

This study investigates the compressibility and equations of state of newly synthesized boron-rich selenides B$_6$Se and B$_{12}$Se under high pressure, providing key mechanical properties without observing phase transitions up to 35 GPa.

Contribution

It presents the first experimental determination of the bulk moduli of B$_6$Se and B$_{12}$Se using synchrotron X-ray diffraction and high-pressure techniques.

Findings

Bulk modulus of B$_{12}$Se is 155 GPa.

Bulk modulus of B$_6$Se is 144 GPa.

No phase transitions observed up to 35 GPa.

Abstract

Two novel of boron-rich selenides, orthorhombic B$_6$Se and rhombohedral B$_{12}$Se, have been recently synthesized at high pressure - high temperature conditions. Room-temperature compressibilities of these phases were studied in a diamond anvil cell using synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction. A fit of experimental p-V data by third-order Birch-Murnaghan equation of state yielded the bulk moduli of 155(2) GPa for B$_{12}$Se and 144(3) GPa for B$_6$Se. No pressure-induced phase transitions have been observed in the studied pressure range, i.e., up to 35 GPa.