A quest for stronger materials has led researchers to delve into the realm of eight-atom body-centred cubic (BC8) crystals, colloquially known as “super diamonds,” offering potential insights into the extreme conditions within carbon-rich exoplanets.
A recent study published in The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters delves into the unique properties of BC8, a distinct carbon phase closely resembling diamond but exhibiting superior strength, with a predicted 30% greater resistance to compression. This crystalline high-pressure carbon phase, theoretically stable under immense pressures exceeding 10 million atmospheres, has sparked intrigue among scientists aiming to understand its formation and properties.
Lead author Ivan Oleynik, a physics professor at the University of South Florida, highlighted the significance of BC8 in the context of carbon-rich exoplanets, suggesting that these celestial bodies could harbor such unique carbon structures deep within their interiors. “The extreme conditions prevailing within these carbon-rich exoplanets may give rise to structural forms of carbon such as diamond and BC8,” remarked Oleynik, emphasizing the importance of comprehending BC8’s properties for accurate modeling of exoplanet interiors.
Unlike diamond, BC8 boasts a tetrahedral nearest-neighbor shape without cleavage planes, potentially rendering it much tougher under ambient conditions. The study, facilitated by advanced molecular-dynamics simulations on cutting-edge supercomputers, shed light on BC8’s extreme metastability at high pressures, surpassing the thermodynamic stability range of diamond.
The breakthrough was made possible by the development of precise machine-learning interatomic potentials, enabling accurate simulations of billions of carbon atoms under extreme conditions. This paved the way for predicting viable compression pathways to access the elusive BC8 phase, previously challenging to synthesize due to its narrow range of stability.
Collaborative efforts involving researchers like Jon Eggert aim to explore experimental avenues for BC8 synthesis, utilizing advanced facilities such as the National Ignition Facility at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. The team envisions the eventual laboratory cultivation of BC8 super diamonds, contingent upon successful synthesis and recovery of BC8 seed crystals under ambient conditions.
The study not only unravels the enigmatic properties of BC8 but also offers promising insights into potential pathways for its synthesis, marking a significant stride in materials science research.
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