Effect of synchrotron X-ray radiation damage on phase transitions in coordination polymers at high pressure

Abstract

The high-pressure phase-transition behaviour of metal-organic frameworks and coordination polymers upon varying degrees of X-ray irradiation are highlighted with four example studies. These show that, in certain cases, the radiation damage, while not extreme in changing unit-cell values, can impact the existence of a phase transition. In particular, pressure-induced phase transitions are suppressed after a certain absorbed dose threshold is reached for the sample. This is thought to be due to partial amorphization and/or defect formation in the sample, hindering the co-operative structural distortions needed for a phase transition. The high-pressure experiments were conducted with several crystals within the sample chamber in order to measure crystals with minimal X-ray irradiation at the highest pressures, which are compared with the crystals measured continuously upon pressure increase. Ways to minimize radiation damage are also discussed within the frame of high-pressure experiments.