GdBO${}_3$ and YBO${}_3$ Nanocrystals under Compression

Abstract

High-pressure X-ray diffraction studies on nanocrystals of the pseudo-vaterite-type borates GdBO${}_3$ and YBO${}_3$ are herein reported up to 17.4(2) and 13.4(2) GPa respectively. The subsequent determination of the room-temperature pressure-volume equations of state is presented and discussed in the context of contemporary publications which contradict the findings of this work. In particular, the isothermal bulk moduli of GdBO${}_3$ and YBO${}_3$ are found to be 170(13) and 163(13) GPa respectively, almost 50% smaller than recent findings. Our experimental results provide an accurate revision of the high-pressure compressibility behaviour of GdBO${}_3$ and YBO${}_3$ which is consistent with the known systematics in isomorphic borates and previous ab initio calculations. Finally we discuss how experimental/analytical errors could have led to unreliable conclusions reported elsewhere.