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GaGeTe is a layered topological semimetal that has been recently found to exist in at least two different polytypes, α-GaGeTe (R3¯m) and β-GaGeTe (P63mc). Here we report a joint experimental and theoretical study of the structural, vibrational, and electronic properties of these two polytypes in high-pressure conditions. Both polytypes show anisotropic compressibility and two phase transitions, above 7 and 15 GPa, respectively, as confirmed by XRD and Raman spectroscopy measurements. Although the nature of the high-pressure phases could not be confirmed, comparison with other chalcogenides and total-energy calculations allow us to propose possible high-pressure phases for both polytypes with an increase in coordination for Ga and Ge atoms from 4 to 6. In particular, the simplification of the X-ray pattern for both polytypes above 15 GPa suggests a transition to a structure of relatively higher symmetry than the original one. This result is consistent with the rocksalt-like high-pressure phases observed in parent III-VI semiconductors, such as GaTe, GaSe, and InSe. Pressure-induced amorphization is observed upon pressure release. The electronic band structures of α-GaGeTe and β-GaGeTe and their pressure dependence also show similarities to III-VI semiconductors, thus suggesting that the germanene-like sublayer induces a semimetallic character in both GaGeTe polytypes. Above 3 GPa, both polytypes lose their topological features, due to the opening of the direct band gap, while the reduction of the interlayer space increases the thermal conductivity at high pressure.

We report a joint experimental and theoretical investigation of the high pressure structural and vibrational properties of terbium sesquioxide (Tb 2 O 3 ). Powder X-ray diffraction and Raman scattering measurements show that cubic Ia 3̅ (C-type) Tb 2 O 3 undergoes two phase transitions up to 25 GPa. We observe a first irreversible reconstructive transition to the monoclinic C 2/ m (B-type) phase at ∼7 GPa and a subsequent reversible displacive transition from the monoclinic to the trigonal P 3̅ m 1 (A-type) phase at ∼1 2 GPa. Thus, Tb 2 O 3 is found to follow the well-known C → B → A phase transition sequence found in other cubic rare earth sesquioxides with cations of larger atomic mass than Tb. Our ab initio theoretical calculations predict phase transition pressures and bulk moduli for the three phases in rather good agreement with experimental results. Moreover, Raman-active modes of the three phases have been monitored as a function of pressure, while lattice-dynamics calculations have allowed us to confirm the assignment of the experimental phonon modes in the C- and A-type phases as well as to make a tentative assignment of the symmetry of most vibrational modes in the B-type phase. Finally, we extract the bulk moduli and the Raman-active mode frequencies together with their pressure coefficients for the three phases of Tb 2 O 3 . These results are thoroughly compared and discussed in relation to those reported for rare earth and other related sesquioxides as well as with new calculations for selected sesquioxides. It is concluded that the evolution of the volume and bulk modulus of all the three phases of these technologically relevant compounds exhibit a nearly linear trend with respect to the third power of the ionic radii of the cations and that the values of the bulk moduli for the three phases depend on the filling of the f orbitals.