X-ray-induced Dissociation of H2O and Formation of an O2-H2 Alloy at High Pressure

When subjected to high pressure and extensive x-radiation, water (H2O) molecules cleaved, forming O-O and H-H bonds. The oxygen (O) and hydrogen (H) framework in ice VII was converted into a molecular alloy of O2 and H2. X-ray diffraction, x-ray Raman scattering, and optical Raman spectroscopy demonstrated that this crystalline solid differs from previously known phases. It remained stable with respect to variations in pressure, temperature, and further x-ray and laser exposure, thus opening new possibilities for studying molecular interactions in the hydrogen-oxygen binary system.