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An unusually complex form of one of the most abundant chemical elements on Earth has been revealed for the first time in the laboratory.
The researchers created a crystallized version of nitrogen – which under normal conditions is the main constituent of air – by subjecting it to extreme pressures and temperatures.
The study shows for the first time that simple molecular elements can have complex structures at high pressures.
This could illuminate similar studies in other elements, say the researchers.
An international team of scientists led by the University of Edinburgh used a high-pressure diamond tip anvil to extract very small quantities of nitrogen at pressures half a million higher than those of the Earth's atmosphere , while heating them to around 500 degrees Celsius.
They then used specialized X-ray technology to capture an image of the crystals thus obtained and were surprised to find that the nitrogen had formed a complex arrangement composed of tens of molecules.
The team was expected to discover a much simpler structure.
Their results dispel speculations about the structure of this form of nitrogen, called ι-N2. It was discovered 15 years ago but its structure was unknown until now.
Computer simulations of the new structure provided valuable information, finding it surprisingly stable.
The study, published in Nature Communications, was carried out in collaboration with the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in France and with researchers in China. He was supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.
Robin Turnbull, of the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Edinburgh, who led the study, said: "We hope these results will spur Further research on why relatively simple elements should form such complex structures, it is important to continue to search for promising new science. "
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Material provided by University of Edinburgh. Note: Content can be changed for style and length.
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