Unveiling the pressure-induced scheelite to M′-fergusonite phase transition in NaCe(MoO4)2

Abstract

Sodium-cerium molybdate, NaCe(MoO4)2, belongs to the family of double alkaline rare-earth molybdate, and it holds significant importance across various technological domains, such as environmental remediation and energy conversion. Despite its importance, the behavior of NaCe(MoO4)2 under high-pressure conditions remains unexplored. This study uses synchrotron x-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy to investigate NaCe(MoO4)2in situ under high-pressure conditions. We observed a pressure-induced phase transition from the scheelite to the M′-fergusonite structure type on a double molybdate at approximately 10 GPa. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the structural stability of NaCe(MoO4)2 and shed light on the broader field of high-pressure studies of double molybdates.