Tin (Sn) at high pressure: Review, X-ray diffraction, DFT calculations, and Gibbs energy modeling

An assessment of the Sn unary system is presented. First, the literature on phase equilibria, the thermodynamic properties, the volume and related properties, and shock compression of tin is thoroughly reviewed. Second, the Sn system is investigated by means of synchrotron X-ray diffraction in a diamond-anvil cell up to pressures and temperatures of 57 GPa and 730 K. New information is obtained on the thermal stability and thermal expansion coefficient of the γ (I4/mmm) and γ’’ (Im3¯m) phases. Third, density functional theory calculations are conducted on the six allotropic phases of tin observed in experiments using both a local density approximation (LDA) and a generalized gradient approximation (GGA) functional. This combined experimental and theoretical investigation provides further insights on the pronounced metastable nature of Sn in the 30–70 GPa range. Last, a Gibbs energy modeling is conducted using the recently proposed Joubert-Lu-Grover model which is compatible with the CALPHAD method. Special emphasis is placed on discussing extrapolations to high pressures and temperatures of the volume and of the thermodynamic properties. While the description of the heat capacity is approximate at moderate pressure, all available data are closely reproduced up to 2500 K, which is 5 times higher than the atmospheric pressure melting point of tin, and 150 GPa, which is almost 3 times the standard bulk modulus of β-Sn. •Sn is investigated by synchrotron x-ray diffraction up to 57 GPa and 730 K.•Density functional theory calculations are conducted on six allotropic phases of Sn.•The Sn unary is modeled using the CALPHAD-compatible Joubert-Lu-Grover model.