Lomonosovite (original) (raw)

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Phosphate–silicate mineral

Lomonosovite
General
Category Mineral
Formula(repeating unit) Na10Ti4(Si2O7)2(PO4)2O4
IMA symbol Lom[1]
Crystal system Triclinic
Unit cell a = 5.49 Å, b = 7.11 Å, c = 14.5 Å α = 101°, β = 96°, γ = 90°
Identification
Cleavage Perfect
Fracture Irregular
Tenacity Brittle
Mohs scale hardness 3–4
Density 3.12 – 3.15
Optical properties Biaxial(−)
Refractive index nα = 1.670 nβ = 1.750 nγ = 1.778
Birefringence 0.108
2V angle 56°

A image of a rock with Lomonisovite and bornemanite

Image of Lomonisovite(beige) and bornemanite(white)

Lomonosovite is a phosphate–silicate mineral with the idealized formula Na10Ti4(Si2O7)2(PO4)2O4 [2] early Na5Ti2(Si2O7)(PO4)O2 or Na2Ti2Si2O9*Na3PO4.[3]

The main admixtures are niobium (up to 11.8% Nb2O5), manganese (up to 4.5 %MnO) and iron (up to 2.8%).[4]

The mineral was discovered by V.I. Gerasimovskii [5] in Lovozersky agpaitic massif. Named for Mikhail Lomonosov – famous Russian poet, chemist and philosopher, but the earlier – mining engineer.[6]

According to X-ray data, lomonosovite structure was determined is triclinic unit cell with parameters: a = 5.44 Å, b = 7.163 Å, c = 14.83 Å, α = 99°, β = 106°, and γ = 90°, usually centrosymmetric (sp. gr. P-1),[7] but acentric varieties (polytype) are also reported.[4]

The crystal structure of lomonosovite is based on three-layer HOH packets consisting of a central octahedral O layer and two outer heteropolyhedral H layers. Ti- and Na centered octahedra are distinguished in the O layer, whereas the H layers are composed of Ti-centered octahedra and Si2O7 diorthogroups, (like in other heterophyllosilicates, for example lamprophyllite). The interpacket space includes Na+ cations and PO43- anions.[7]

Lomonosovite forms lamellar and tabular crystals with perfect cleavage. It is macroscopically brown, from cinnamon-brown to black. It is transparent in thin plates. The luster vitreous to adamantine.

Its pleochroism is strong from colorless to brown. The refractive index is α {\displaystyle \alpha } {\displaystyle \alpha }= 1.654–1.670 β {\displaystyle \beta } {\displaystyle \beta } = 1.736 – 1.750 γ {\displaystyle \gamma } {\displaystyle \gamma }=1.764–1.778 2V=56–69.[3]

Hardness 3–4 Density 3.12 – 3.15.[3]

Accessory mineral of peralkaline agpaitic nepheline syenites (like Khibina and Lovozero massif, Russia, Ilimaussaq intrusion, Greenland) important mineral of agpaitic pegmatites and peralkaline fenites.[3]

  1. ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. ^ "COMMISSION ON NEW MINERALS".
  3. ^ a b c d "Handbook of mineralogy" (PDF).
  4. ^ a b Rastsvetaeva, Zaitsev, Pekov (2020). "Crystal Structure of Niobium-Rich Lomonosovite with Symmetry P1 from the Khibiny Massif (Kola Peninsula)". Crystallography Reports. 65 (3): 22–427. Bibcode:2020CryRp..65..422R. doi:10.1134/S1063774520030268. S2CID 219784165.{{[cite journal](/wiki/Template:Cite%5Fjournal "Template:Cite journal")}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ Gerasimovskii, V. I. "Lomonosovite, a new mineral". Dokl. Akad. Nauk SSSR. 70.
  6. ^ "Maburg. Song of Yu.Lores".
  7. ^ a b Rastsvetaeva, Simonov, Belov (1971). "Crystalline structure of lomonosovite, Na5Ti2[Si2O7][PO4]O2". Dokl. Akad. Nauk SSSR. 197 (1): 81–84.{{[cite journal](/wiki/Template:Cite%5Fjournal "Template:Cite journal")}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)