Structural transitions in NaNH2 via recrystallization under high pressure.

Multiple phase transitions are detected in sodium amide (NaNH2), an important hydrogen storage material, upon compression in diamond anvil cells (DAC) by using Raman spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. Additional Bragg reflections appear on lower and higher angle sides of the original ones at ∼ 1.07 GPa and 1.84 GPa, accompanied by obvious changes in Raman spectroscopy, respectively. It reveals that NaNH2 undergoes the high-pressure phase sequence (α–β–γ) up to 20 GPa at room temperature. Spectral analysis indicates an orthorhombic structure with PBAN space group for the γ phase. We also experimentally observe high pressure induced recrystallization in alkaline amide compounds for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]