Structure and Phase Transitions of Solid Heavy Methane (CD4)

Orientational order and phase transitions in deuterated methane: a neutron total scattering and reverse Monte Carlo study

We report a study of the orientational order and phase transitions in crystalline deuterated methane, carried out using neutron total scattering and the reverse Monte Carlo method. The resultant atomic configurations are consistent with the average structures obtained from Rietveld refinement of the powder diffraction data, but additionally enable us to determine the C-D bond orientational distribution functions (ODF) for the disordered molecules in the high-temperature phase, and for both ordered and disordered molecules in the intermediate-temperature phase. We show that this approach gives more accurate information than can been obtained from fitting a bond ODF to diffraction data. Given the resurgence of interest in orientationally-disordered crystals, we argue that the approach of total scattering with the RMC method provides a unique quantification of orientational order and disorder.

The crystallography of Pluto

Maynard-Casely and co-workers [IUCrJ (2020). 7, 844-851.] investigate two of Pluto's most abundant minerals with neutron diffraction. The new results will be key to understanding the geology of our distant neighbour and represent a significant advance in the emerging field of small-molecule geology.

Re-examining the crystal structure behaviour of nitrogen and methane

In the light of NASA's New Horizons mission, the solid-phase behaviour of methane and nitrogen has been re-examined and the thermal expansion coefficients of both materials have been determined over their whole solid temperature range for the first time. Neutron diffraction results indicate that the symmetric Pa 3 space group is the best description for the α-nitrogen structure, rather than the long-accepted P213. Furthermore, it is also observed that β-nitrogen and methane phase I show changes in texture on warming, indicating grain growth.

High Pressure Hydrocarbons Revisited: From van der Waals Compounds to Diamond

Methane and other hydrocarbons are major components of the mantle regions of icy planets. Several recent computational studies have investigated the high-pressure behaviour of specific hydrocarbons. To develop a global picture of hydrocarbon stability, to identify relevant decomposition reactions, and probe eventual formation of diamond, a complete study of all hydrocarbons is needed. Using density functional theory calculations we survey here all known C-H crystal structures augmented by targeted crystal structure searches to build hydrocarbon phase diagrams in the ground state and at elevated temperatures. We find that an updated pressure-temperature phase diagram for methane is dominated at intermediate pressures by CH 4 :H 2 van der Waals inclusion compounds. We discuss the P-T phase diagram for CH and CH 2 (i.e., polystyrene and polyethylene) to illustrate that diamond formation conditions are strongly composition dependent. Finally, crystal structure searches uncover a new CH 4 (H 2 ) 2 van der Waals compound, the most hydrogen-rich hydrocarbon, stable between 170 and 220 GPa.

Phase Diagram of Methane Hydrates and Discovery of MH-VI Hydrate

Methane hydrate is not only the predominant natural deposits of permafrost and continental margins of Earth but also the dominant methane-containing phase in the nebula and major moons of gas giants. Depending on the surrounding environment (mainly pressure), seven methane hydrate phases have been discovered by experiment or predicted by computer simulation, such as clathrate methane hydrates I, II, H, and K, and filled-ice methane hydrates III, IV, and V. Using extensive Monte Carlo packing algorithm and density functional theory optimization, here we predict a partial clathrate methane hydrate VI built by basic units of 4²6² water bowl encapsulating a methane molecule, which is dynamically stable from the computed phonon dispersion. Its density and structural characteristics are comparable to that of filled-ice methane hydrate III. By calculating the formation enthalpies of a variety of candidate phases at different pressures, a phase diagram of methane hydrates is constructed. As pressure rises, phase transitions occur  among the methane hydrates along with decreasing water/methane molecular ratios. The newly predicted methane hydrate VI emerges as the most stable phase in the region between clathrate phase II and filled-ice phase III, suggesting that methane hydrate VI might be synthesized in a laboratory under accessible conditions.

Isotopic localization of the partially deuterated methyl group in solid methanol and methyl iodide

Heat capacity measurements were made down to 0.35 K for the isotopic modifications of methanol, CH_3-nD_nOH, and methyl iodide, CH_3-nD_nI, (n = 0, 1, 2, 3) to determine the orientation of the partially deuterated methyl group in the solid phase. The mono-deuterated modifications favor the symmetric conformation, whereas the di-deuterated ones favor the asymmetric conformation. Infrared spectroscopy demonstrates that some vibrational modes change in intensity depending on temperature, which supports the energy scheme obtained by calorimetry. Zero-point kinetic energies were obtained by single molecule density functional theory calculations. Although the favorable conformations of CH₂DOH and CHD₂OH were confirmed, the energy difference between symmetric and asymmetric conformations was twice as large as that determined experimentally, which indicates that intermolecular forces significantly decrease the energy difference. For CHD₂OH, the conversion between the two asymmetric conformations becomes very slow at low temperature and results in a residual entropy of R ln 2.

Dense Hydrocarbon Structures at Megabar Pressures

The structure, bonding, and other properties of phases in the carbon-hydrogen system over a range of conditions are of considerable importance to a broad range of scientific problems. However, the phase diagram of the C-H system at high pressures and temperatures is still not known. To search for new low-energy hydrocarbon structures, we carried out systematic structure prediction calculations for the C-H system from 100 to 300 GPa. We confirmed several previously predicted structures but found additional compositions that adopt more stable structures. In particular, a C₂H₄ structure is found that has an indirect band gap, and phonon calculations confirm that it is dynamically stable over a broad pressure range. We also identify more carbon-rich structures that are energetically favorable. The results are important for understanding carbon-hydrogen interactions in high-pressure experiments, dense astrophysical environments and the deep carbon cycle in planetary interiors.

Observation of Binding and Rotation of Methane and Hydrogen within a Functional Metal-Organic Framework

The key requirement for a portable store of natural gas is to maximize the amount of gas within the smallest possible space. The packing of methane (CH4) in a given storage medium at the highest possible density is, therefore, a highly desirable but challenging target. We report a microporous hydroxyl-decorated material, MFM-300(In) (MFM = Manchester Framework Material, replacing the NOTT designation), which displays a high volumetric uptake of 202 v/v at 298 K and 35 bar for CH4 and 488 v/v at 77 K and 20 bar for H2. Direct observation and quantification of the location, binding, and rotational modes of adsorbed CH4 and H2 molecules within this host have been achieved, using neutron diffraction and inelastic neutron scattering experiments, coupled with density functional theory (DFT) modeling. These complementary techniques reveal a very efficient packing of H2 and CH4 molecules within MFM-300(In), reminiscent of the condensed gas in pure component crystalline solids. We also report here, for the first time, the experimental observation of a direct binding interaction between adsorbed CH4 molecules and the hydroxyl groups within the pore of a material. This is different from the arrangement found in CH4/water clathrates, the CH4 store of nature.

Internal Rotation of Methane Molecules in Large Clusters

Methane is one of the very few substances that show rotation of individual molecules in the crystalline phase. Here we explore the evolution of the rotation spectrum of methane from single molecules to clusters containing up to about 4 × 10(3) molecules. The clusters were assembled in He droplets at T = 0.38 K and studied via infrared laser spectroscopy in the ν3 region of the methane molecules. Well-resolved rotational structure in the spectra was observed in clusters containing up to about 50 molecules. We have concluded that in distinction to the crystals molecular rotation in methane clusters is confined to the surface and is enabled by low coordination of the molecules. On the contrary the molecules in the cluster's interior are in amorphous state wherein the rotation is quenched. These results demonstrate that even at very low temperature the surface of the methane clusters remains fluxional due to quantum effects.

The crystal structure of methane B at 8 GPa--an α-Mn arrangement of molecules

From a combination of powder and single-crystal synchrotron x-ray diffraction data we have determined the carbon substructure of phase B of methane at a pressure of ∼8 GPa. We find this substructure to be cubic with space group I4¯3m and 58 molecules in the unit cell. The unit cell has a lattice parameter a = 11.911(1) Å at 8.3(2) GPa, which is a factor of √2 larger than had previously been proposed by Umemoto et al. [J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 14, 10675 (2002)]. The substructure as now solved is not related to any close-packed arrangement, contrary to previous proposals. Surprisingly, the arrangement of the carbon atoms is isostructural with that of α-manganese at ambient conditions.

Explanation for the stacking disorder in tris(bicyclo[2.1.1]hexeno)benzene using lattice-energy minimisations

The stacking disorder in the hexagonal polymorph of tris(bicyclo[2.1.1]hexeno)benzene, C18H18, is explained by lattice-energy minimisations. The compound crystallises in layers with P(-6)2m layer-group symmetry. Each layer can be placed in one of three possible positions. Possible stacking sequences were derived from order-disorder (OD) theory and by a combinatorial approach. The resulting periodic model structures were optimised by lattice-energy minimisations. The calculations show that eclipsed arrangements of layers (sequence e.g. ABA) are energetically less favourable than non-eclipsed ones (sequence e.g. ABC). The reason was found in the deviation from P(-6)2m symmetry. Molecules in eclipsed layers are almost parallel to the layer plane, whereas molecules in non-eclipsed layers are inclined to it by about 3° leading to a more efficient packing. The influence of the next-nearest layers was found to be not a direct one, but mediated by the distortion of the layers between them. Using Boltzmann statistics, the stacking probabilities for all four-layer sequences were calculated. The results match well with the probabilities derived from the diffuse scattering by Bürgi et al. (2005) (Z. Kristallogr. 220, 1066–1075). The lattice-energy minimisations allowed to determine the actual local structures in all individual layers including packing effects like rotation of molecules, lateral shifts, and to calculate the stacking layer thickness, depending on the actual layer sequences.

The diffraction pattern, calculated from a lattice-energy optimised structure with 54 layers, is similar to the experimental one, and even approximates the diffuse scattering.

Rotational tunneling in CH4 II: disorder effects

Transitions within the tunneling multiplet of CH(4) in phase II have been measured in an experiment at the backscattering instrument BASIS of the Neutron Source SNS. They all involve transitions from or to T-states. A statistical model is put forward which accounts for local departures from tetrahedral symmetry at the sites of ordered molecules. Different from previous work, in which discrete sets of overlap matrix elements have been studied, now large numbers of elements as well as the ensemble of T-states are considered. The observed neutron spectra can be explained rather well, all based on the pocket state formalism of A. Hüller [Phys. Rev. B 16, 1844 (1977)]. A completely new result is the observation and simulation of transitions between T-states, which give rise to a double peaked feature close to the elastic position and which reflect the disorder in the system. CH(2)D(2) molecules in the CH(4) matrix are largely responsible for the disorder and an interesting topic for their own sake. The simple model presented may lend itself to a broader application.

Dissociation of methane under high pressure

Methane is an extremely important energy source with a great abundance in nature and plays a significant role in planetary physics, being one of the major constituents of giant planets Uranus and Neptune. The stable crystal forms of methane under extreme conditions are of great fundamental interest. Using the ab initio evolutionary algorithm for crystal structure prediction, we found three novel insulating molecular structures with P2(1)2(1)2(1), Pnma, and Cmcm space groups. Remarkably, under high pressure, methane becomes unstable and dissociates into ethane (C(2)H(6)) at 95 GPa, butane (C(4)H(10)) at 158 GPa, and further, carbon (diamond) and hydrogen above 287 GPa at zero temperature. We have computed the pressure-temperature phase diagram, which sheds light into the seemingly conflicting observations of the unusually low formation pressure of diamond at high temperature and the failure of experimental observation of dissociation at room temperature. Our results support the idea of diamond formation in the interiors of giant planets such as Neptune.

Phase behavior of methane haze

Methane aerosols play a fundamental role in the atmospheres of Neptune, Uranus, and Saturn's moon Titan as borne out by the recent Cassini-Huygens mission. Here we present the first study of the phase behavior of free methane aerosol particles combining collisional cooling with rapid-scan infrared spectroscopy in situ. We find fast (within minutes) phase transitions to crystalline states directly after particle formation and characteristic surface effects for nanometer-sized particles. From our results, we conclude that in atmospheric clouds solid methane particles are crystalline.

Phase transitions of methane using molecular dynamics simulations

Using a short ranged Lennard-Jones interaction and a long ranged electrostatic potential, CH4 under high pressure was modeled. Molecular dynamics simulations on small clusters (108 and 256 molecules) were used to explore the phase diagram. Regarding phase transitions at different temperatures, our numerical findings are consistent with experimental results to a great degree. In addition, the hysteresis effect is displayed in our results.

Two-stage rotational disordering of a molecular crystal surface: C60

We propose a two-stage mechanism for the rotational surface disordering phase transition of a molecular crystal, as realized in C60 fullerite. Our study, based on Monte Carlo simulations, uncovers the existence of a new intermediate regime, between a low-temperature ordered (2x2) state, and a high-temperature (1x1) disordered phase. In the intermediate regime there is partial disorder, strongest for a subset of particularly frustrated surface molecules. These concepts and calculations provide a coherent understanding of experimental observations, with possible extension to other molecular crystal surfaces.