Raman and IR Spectroscopy Studies on Propane at Pressures of Up to 40 GPa.

Raman and IR spectroscopy studies on propane were performed at pressures of up to 40 GPa at ambient temperatures using the diamond anvil cell technique. Propane undergoes three phase transitions at 6.4(5), 14.5(5), and 26.5(5) GPa in Raman spectroscopy and at 7.0(5), 14.0(5), and 27.0(5) GPa in IR spectroscopy. The phase transitions were identified using the Raman and IR splitting modes and the appearance or disappearance of peaks, which clearly corresponded to the changes in the frequencies of the modes as the pressure changed. Our results demonstrate the complex high-pressure behavior of solid propane.