Phase Diagrams of H2O and D2O at High Pressures

Abstract

The VIII/VII phase boundaries of solid H₂O and D₂O were studied by means of differential thermal analysis. The thermal hysteresis of the transition decreases with increasing pressure, but the presumed equilibrium temperatures are independent of pressure to 40 kbar. The transition is of the first order, and the average transition temperature is −3°C in both cases. The ice VI/VII transition pressure at 25°C is 21.39 ± 0.05 kbar, in good agreement with other recent studies, but considerably lower than Bridgman's value. The heavy ice VI/VII and VI/VIII transition lines are located ∼1.4 kbar below the ice VI/VII and VI/VIII transition lines. The heavy ice VI/VII transition at 25°C occurs at 19.90 ± 0.07 kbar. Bridgman's melting curves of ice VI and ice VII are shown to be correct. The melting curve of heavy ice VI is ∼2°C above that of ice VI, but the heavy‐ice VI/VII/liquid triple point is located at 78°C, 20.6 kbar as compared with 81.6°C, 21.97 kbar for H₂O. The melting curve of heavy ice VII appears to have a stronger curvature than the melting curve of ice VII.