Phase transition of Zn2SnO4 nanowires under high pressure

In situ high-pressure angle dispersive x-ray diffraction experiments using synchrotron radiation on inverse spinel structure Zn2SnO4 nanowires were carried out with a diamond anvil cell at room temperature. The crystal symmetry becomes lower at around 12.9 GPa and an intermediate phase with an orthorhombic structure occurs. At about 32.7 GPa, a phase transition occurs accompanying a high-pressure phase. In situ Raman scattering investigation was also performed to explore the phase transition. In the pressure range 15.5-32.8 GPa, the intermediate phase is also detected and a high-pressure phase is observed above 32.8 GPa. The high-pressure phase is considered to possess the ambient pressure structure of CaFe2O4.