The ammonia-water phase diagram and its implications for icy satellites

A Holzapfel-type diamond anvil cell is used to determine the NH3 - H2O phase diagram in the region from 0 to 33 mole percent NH3, 240 to 370 K, and 0 to 5 GPa. The following phases were identified: liquid; water ices Ih, III, V, VI, VII, and VIII; ammonia monohydrate, NH3.H2O; and ammonia dihydrate NH3.2H2O. Ammonia dihydrate becomes prominent at moderate pressures (less than 1 GPa), with planetologically significant implications, including the possibility of layering in Titan's magma ocean.