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    Ab Initio Superionic-Liquid Phase Diagram of Fe1−xOx under Earth’s Inner Core Conditions

    Zepeng Wu1, Chen Gao1, Feng Zhang2, Shunqing Wu1,*, Kai-Ming Ho2, Renata M. Wentzcovitch3,4,5,6,†, and Yang Sun1,‡

    • *Contact author: wsq@xmu.edu.cn
    • †Contact author: rmw2150@columbia.edu
    • ‡Contact author: yangsun@xmu.edu.cn

    Phys. Rev. Lett. 136, 016103 – Published 6 January, 2026

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/37nh-5ws8

    Abstract

    The superionic state is a phase of matter in which liquidlike ionic mobility coexists with a solid crystalline lattice. Recently identified in Earth’s inner core (IC), this state has attracted considerable attention for its unique kinetic behavior and geophysical implications. However, the ab initio phase diagram describing the equilibrium between the superionic phase and the liquid solution under core conditions remains largely unexplored. Here, we present a thermodynamic approach to compute the Gibbs free energy and construct the ab initio superionic-liquid phase diagram for the Fe1−xOx system under IC conditions. We find that oxygen forms superionic states in both hcp and bcc Fe phases, with a pronounced influence on cooperative diffusion of iron in the bcc lattice. The stability fields of these superionic phases are sensitive to oxygen stoichiometry. The presence of superionic states leads to a higher oxygen concentration in the IC than previously estimated. Our Letter establishes a framework for investigating superionic-liquid equilibria under extreme conditions.

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