CRYSTAL STRUCTURE AND CHEMISTRY OF TRILITHIONITE-2M2 AND POLYLITHIONITE-2M2

Abstract

The crystal chemistry of three Li-bearing mica-2M2 crystals from pegmatites has been studied by chemical analyses and single crystal X-ray diffraction; their belonging to the trilithionite-polylithionite join is highlighted by the following compositional ranges in atoms per formula unit [based on O12-(x+y)(OH)xF y]: 3.198 ≤ Si ≤ 3.538, 0.462 ≤ [IV]Al ≤ 0.811, 1.195 ≤ [VI]Al ≤ 1.390, 0.031 ≤ (Fe+Mn) ≤ 0.072, 1.522 ≤ Li ≤ 1.757, 0.872 ≤ K< 0.906, 0.030 ≤ Na ≤ 0.073, 0.000 ≤ (Cs+Rb) ≤ 0.099, 1.541 ≤ F ≤ 1.722. The correlation between F and Li content is confirmed, as observed in Li-rich micas. Crystal structure refinements were carried out in space group C2/c (R values vary between 0.030 and 0.031). The crystal chemistry is mostly influenced by tetrahedral chemical composition. Increasing [IV]Al content, α and ψM1 parameters increase; Si content involves a lowering of the interlayer separation and tetrahedral thickness. Li content affects octahedral thickness. The stability of 2M2 polytype seems to be induced by a relative increase of Δz tetrahedral parameter, which reduces the repulsion between basal tetrahedral oxygen atoms. Unlike Li-bearing muscovite, trioctahedral Li-bearing mica crystals show an octahedral occupancy not related to octahedral charge. © 2005 E. Schweizerbart'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung.