Scientists have recently identified a fascinating new form of water ice known as Plastic Ice-7, a high-pressure phase with unique properties. Unlike regular ice, this form remains structurally stable under extreme conditions but exhibits an unusual “plastic” behavior, where water molecules move in a disordered yet solid state.
Plastic Ice-VII (Ice-7p) is a newly discovered phase of water ice that exhibits unusual plasticity, meaning its molecules can rotate freely while remaining in a solid structure. This phase was observed under extreme pressures and temperatures, similar to the conditions found inside icy planets like Neptune and Uranus.
What is Plastic Ice-VII?
Plastic Ice-VII is a high-pressure phase of water ice in which the oxygen atoms remain fixed in a crystalline structure, but hydrogen atoms rotate freely, giving it a “plastic” property. Unlike normal ice, which is rigid, this ice behaves more like a soft, deformable solid at high pressures.
🔹 Key Characteristics:
- Appears under extreme high pressure (above 30 GPa, or ~300,000 times atmospheric pressure).
- Hydrogen atoms are dynamic, moving within the crystal lattice.
- Exists at high temperatures (above 400K or 127°C), unlike normal ice that forms at freezing temperatures.
- Shows plasticity, meaning it can deform without breaking.
Where Does Plastic Ice-VII Exist?
- Deep Inside Planets: Found in the mantles of icy exoplanets like Neptune and Uranus.
- Extreme Lab Conditions: Scientists have replicated it using diamond anvil cells to create high-pressure environments.
- Hypothetical Role in Superionic Ice: It may be a transitional phase before ice enters the superionic state, where it becomes electrically conductive.
How Was It Discovered?
Scientists used X-ray diffraction and high-pressure experiments in a diamond anvil cell to create and observe Ice-VIIp. They discovered that hydrogen atoms in the ice move freely, unlike in ordinary ice, where they are fixed in place.
Why is It Important?
- Planetary Science: Helps us understand water behavior in extreme environments like exoplanets.
- Material Science: Could lead to advancements in high-pressure physics and material engineering.
- Hydrogen Bonding Insights: Reveals new details about water’s molecular structure and hydrogen bonding at extreme pressures.
This discovery challenges traditional views of water and ice, showing how it behaves in extreme conditions that were previously unknown.
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