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Published in

IOP Publishing, Chinese Physics B, 8(31), p. 089101, 2022

DOI: 10.1088/1674-1056/ac7557

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Evolution of electrical conductivity and semiconductor to metal transition of iron oxides at extreme conditions

Journal article published in 2022 by Yukai Zhuang, Qingyang Hu ORCID
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.

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Abstract

Iron oxides are widely found as ores in Earth’s crust and are also important constituents of its interiors. Their polymorphism, composition changes, and electronic structures play essential roles in controlling the structure and geodynamic properties of the solid Earth. While all-natural occurring iron oxides are semiconductors or insulators at ambient pressure, they start to metalize under pressure. Here in this work, we review the electronic conductivity and metallization of iron oxides under high-pressure conditions found in Earth’s lower mantle. We summarize that the metallization of iron oxides is generally controlled by the pressure-induced bandgap closure near the Fermi level. After metallization, they possess much higher electrical and thermal conductivity, which will facilitate the thermal convection, support a more stable and thicker D″ layer, and formulate Earth’s magnetic field, all of which will constrain the large-scale dynamos of the mantle and core.