Structural evolution of a 2M 1 phengite mica up to 11 GPa: an in situ single-crystal X-ray diffraction study

The structural evolution at high pressure of a natural 2M ₁-phengite [(K_0.98Na_0.02)_Σ=1.00(Al_1.55Mg_0.24Fe_0.21Ti_0.02)_Σ=2.01(Si_3.38Al_0.62)O₁₀(OH)₂; a = 5.228(2), b = 9.057(3), c = 19.971(6)Å, β = 95.76(2)°; space group: C2/c] from the metamorphic complex of Cima Pal (Sesia Zone, Western Alps, Italy) was studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction with a diamond anvil cell under hydrostatic conditions up to ~11 GPa. A series of 12 structure refinements were performed at selected pressures within the P range investigated. The compressional behaviour of the same phengite sample was previously studied up to ~25 GPa by synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction, showing an irreversible transformation with a drastic decrease of the crystallinity at P > 15–17 GPa. The elastic behaviour between 0.0001 and 17 GPa was modelled by a third-order Birch–Murnaghan Equation of State (BM-EoS), yielding to K _T0 = 57.3(10) GPa and K′ = ?K _T0/?P = 6.97(24). The single-crystal structure refinements showed that the significant elastic anisotropy of the 2M ₁-phengite (with β(a):β(b):β(c) = 1:1.17:4.60) is mainly controlled by the anisotropic compression of the K-polyhedra. The evolution of the volume of the inter-layer K-polyhedron as a function of P shows a negative slope, Fitting the P–V(K-polyhedron) data with a truncated second-order BM-EoS we obtain a bulk modulus value of K _T0(K-polyhedron) = 26(1) GPa. Tetrahedra and octahedra are significantly stiffer than the K-polyhedron. Tetrahedra behave as quasi-rigid units within the P range investigated. In contrast, a monotonic decrease is observed for the octahedron volume, with K _T0 = 120(10) GPa derived by a BM-EoS. The anisotropic response to pressure of the K-polyhedron affects the P-induced deformation mechanism on the tetrahedral sheet, consisting in a cooperative rotation of the tetrahedra and producing a significant ditrigonalization of the six-membered rings. The volume of the K-polyhedron and the value of the ditrigonal rotation parameter (α) show a high negative correlation (about 93%), though a slight discontinuity is observed at P >8 GPa. α increases linearly with P up to 7–8 GPa (with ?α/?P ≈ 0.7°/GPa), whereas at higher Ps a “saturation plateau” is visible. A comparison between the main deformation mechanisms as a function of pressure observed in 2M ₁- and 3T-phengite is discussed.     

On the crystal chemistry and elastic behavior of a phlogopite 3<Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis>

The crystal chemistry and the elastic behavior under isothermal conditions up to 9 GPa of a natural, and extremely rare, 3T-phlogopite from Traversella (Valchiusella, Turin, Western Alps) [(K_0.99Na_0.05Ba_0.01)(Mg_2.60Al_0.20Fe _0.21 ²⁺ )[Si_2.71Al_1.29O₁₀](OH)₂, space group P3₁12, with a = 5.3167(4), c = 30.440(2) Å, and V = 745.16(9) ų] have been investigated by electron microprobe analysis in wavelength dispersion mode, single-crystal X-ray diffraction at 100 K, and in situ high-pressure synchrotron radiation powder diffraction (at room temperature) with a diamond anvil cell. The single-crystal refinement confirms the general structure features expected for trioctahedral micas, with the inter-layer site partially occupied by potassium and sodium, iron almost homogeneously distributed over the three independent octahedral sites, and the average bond distances of the two unique tetrahedra suggesting a disordered Si/Al-distribution (i.e., 〈T1-O〉 ~ 1.658 and 〈T2-O〉 ~ 1.656 Å). The location of the H-site confirms the orientation of the O–H vector nearly perpendicular to (0001). The refinement converged with R ₁(F) = 0.0382, 846 unique reflections with F _O > 4σ(F _O) and 61 refined parameters, and not significant residuals in the final difference-Fourier map of the electron density (+0.77/?0.37 e ^?/ų). The high-pressure experiments showed no phase transition within the pressure range investigated. The P–V data were fitted with a Murnaghan (M-EoS) and a third-order Birch-Murnaghan equation of state (BM-EoS), yielding: (1) M-EoS, V ₀ = 747.0(3) ų, K _T0 = 44.5(24) GPa, and K′ = 8.0(9); (2) BM-EoS, V ₀ = 747.0(3) ų, K _T0 = 42.8(29) GPa, and K′ = 9.9(17). A comparison between the elastic behavior in response to pressure observed in 1M- and 3T-phlogopite is made.     

New type of possible high-pressure polymorphism in NiAs minerals in planetary cores

The nickel arsenide (B8₁) and related crystal structures are among the most important crystallographic arrangements assumed by Fe and Ni compounds with light elements such as Si, O, S, and P, expected to be present in planetary cores. Despite the simple structure, some of these materials like troilite (FeS) exhibit complex phase diagrams and rich polymorphism, involving significant changes in interatomic bonding and physical properties. NiP (oP16) represents one of the two principal structure distortions found in the nickel arsenide family and is characterized by P–P bonding interactions that lead to the formation of P₂ dimers. In the current study, the single-crystal synchrotron X-ray diffraction technique, aided by first principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations, has been applied to examine the compression behavior of NiP up to 30 GPa. Two new reversible displacive phase transitions leading to orthorhombic high-pressure phases with Pearson symbols oP40 and oC24 were found to occur at approximately 8.5 and 25.0 GPa, respectively. The oP40 phase has the primitive Pnma space group with unit cell a = 4.7729(5) Å, b = 16.6619(12) Å, and c = 5.8071(8) Å at 16.3(1) GPa and is a superstructure of the ambient oP16 phase with multiplicity of 2.5. The oC24 phase has the acentric Cmc2₁ space group with unit cell a = 9.695(6) Å, b = 5.7101(9) Å, and c = 4.7438(6) Å at 28.5(1) GPa and is a superstructure of the oP16 phase with multiplicity of 1.5. DFT calculations fully support the observed sequence of phase transitions. The two new phases constitute logical next stages of P sublattice polymerization, in which the dilution of the P₃ units, introduced in the first high-pressure phase, decreases, leading to compositions of Ni₂₀(P₃)₄(P₂)₄ and Ni₁₂(P₃)₄, and provide important clues to understanding of phase relations and transformation pathways in the NiAs family.     

Thermo-elastic behaviour of Be2BO3OH (hambergite) up to 7 GPa and 1,100 K

The thermo-elastic behaviour of Be₂BO₃(OH)_0.96F_0.04 (i.e. natural hambergite, Z = 8, a = 9.7564(1), b = 12.1980(2), c = 4.4300(1) Å, V = 527.21(1) ų, space group Pbca) has been investigated up to 7 GPa (at 298 K) and up to 1,100 K (at 0.0001 GPa) by means of in situ single-crystal X-ray diffraction and synchrotron powder diffraction, respectively. No phase transition or anomalous elastic behaviour has been observed within the pressure range investigated. P?V data fitted to a third-order Birch–Murnaghan equation of state give: V ₀ = 528.89(4) ų, K _T0 = 67.0(4) GPa and K′ = 5.4(1). The evolution of the lattice parameters with pressure is significantly anisotropic, being: K _T0(a):K _T0(b):K _T0(c) = 1:1.13:3.67. The high-temperature experiment shows evidence of structure breakdown at T > 973 K, with a significant increase in the full-width-at-half-maximum of all the Bragg peaks and an anomalous increase in the background of the diffraction pattern. The diffraction pattern was indexable up to 1,098 K. No new crystalline phase was observed up to 1,270 K. The diffraction data collected at room-T after the high-temperature experiment showed that the crystallinity was irreversibly compromised. The evolution of axial and volume thermal expansion coefficient, α, with T was described by the polynomial function: α(T) = α ₀ + α ₁ T ^?1/2. The refined parameters for Be₂BO₃(OH)_0.96F_0.04 are: α ₀ = 7.1(1) × 10^?5 K^?1 and α ₁ = ?8.9(2) × 10^?4 K ^?1/2 for the unit-cell volume, α ₀(a) = 1.52(9) × 10^?5 K^?1 and α ₁(a) = ?1.4(2) × 10^?4 K ^?1/2 for the a-axis, α ₀(b) = 4.4(1) × 10^?5 K^?1 and α ₁(b) = ?5.9(3) × 10^?4 K ^?1/2 for the b-axis, α ₀(c) = 1.07(8) × 10^?5 K^?1 and α ₁(c) = ?1.5(2) × 10^?4 K ^?1/2 for the c-axis. The thermo-elastic anisotropy can be described, at a first approximation, by α ₀(a):α ₀(b):α ₀(c) = 1.42:4.11:1. The main deformation mechanisms in response to the applied temperature, based on Rietveld structure refinement, are discussed.     

Single-crystal elastic properties of alunite, KAl3(SO4)2(OH)6

The single-crystal elastic constants of natural alunite (ideally KAl₃(SO₄)₂(OH)₆) were determined by Brillouin spectroscopy. Chemical analysis by electron microprobe gave a formula KAl₃(SO₄)₂(OH)₆. Single crystal X-ray diffraction refinement with R ₁ = 0.0299 for the unique observed reflections (|F _o| > 4σ _F) and wR ₂ = 0.0698 for all data gave a = 6.9741(3) Å, c = 17.190(2) Å, fractional positions and thermal factors for all atoms. The elastic constants (in GPa), obtained by fitting the spectroscopic data, are C ₁₁ = 181.9 ± 0.3, C ₃₃ = 66.8 ± 0.8, C ₄₄ = 42.8 ± 0.2, C ₁₂ = 48.2 ± 0.5, C ₁₃ = 27.1 ± 1.0, C ₁₄ = 5.4 ± 0.5, and C ₆₆ = ½(C ₁₁–C ₁₂) = 66.9 ± 0.3 GPa. The VRH averages of bulk and shear modulus are 63 and 49 GPa, respectively. The aggregate Poisson ratio is 0.19. The high value of the ratio C ₁₁/C ₃₃ = 2.7 and of the ratio C ₆₆/C ₄₄ = 1.6 are characteristic of an anisotropic structure with very weak interlayer interactions along the c-axis. The basal plane (001) is characterized by 0.1% longitudinal acoustic anisotropy and 0.9–1.1% shear acoustic anisotropy, which gives alunite a characteristic pseudo-hexagonal elastic behavior, and is related to the pseudo-hexagonal arrangement of the Al(O,OH)₆ octahedra in the basal layer. The elastic Debye temperature of alunite is 654 K. The large discrepancy between the elastic and heat capacity Debye temperature is also a consequence of the layered structure.     

High-pressure single-crystal X-ray diffraction study of jadeite and kosmochlor

The crystal structures of natural jadeite, NaAlSi₂O₆, and synthetic kosmochlor, NaCrSi₂O₆, were studied at room temperature, under hydrostatic conditions, up to pressures of 30.4 (1) and 40.2 (1) GPa, respectively, using single-crystal synchrotron X-ray diffraction. Pressure–volume data have been fit to a third-order Birch–Murnaghan equation of state yielding V ₀ = 402.5 (4) Å³, K ₀ = 136 (3) GPa, and K ₀ ^′  = 3.3 (2) for jadeite and V ₀ = 420.0 (3) Å³, K ₀ = 123 (2) GPa and K ₀ ^′  = 3.61 (9) for kosmochlor. Both phases exhibit anisotropic compression with unit-strain axial ratios of 1.00:1.95:2.09 for jadeite at 30.4 (1) GPa and 1:00:2.15:2.43 for kosmochlor at 40.2 (1) GPa. Analysis of procrystal electron density distribution shows that the coordination of Na changes from 6 to 8 between 9.28 (Origlieri et al. in Am Mineral 88:1025–1032, 2003) and 18.5 (1) GPa in kosmochlor, which is also marked by a decrease in unit-strain anisotropy. Na in jadeite remains six-coordinated at 21.5 (1) GPa. Structure refinements indicate a change in the compression mechanism of kosmochlor at about 31 GPa in both the kinking of SiO₄ tetrahedral chains and rate of tetrahedral compression. Below 31 GPa, the O3–O3–O3 chain extension angle and Si tetrahedral volume in kosmochlor decrease linearly with pressure, whereas above 31 GPa the kinking ceases and the rate of Si tetrahedral compression increases by greater than a factor of two. No evidence of phase transitions was observed over the studied pressure ranges.     

Elastic behavior of vanadinite,Pb<Subscript>10</Subscript>(VO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>6</Subscript>Cl<Subscript>2</Subscript>, a microporous non-zeolitic mineral

The high-pressure behavior of a vanadinite (Pb₁₀(VO₄)₆Cl₂, a = b = 10.3254(5), c = 7.3450(4) Å, space group P6₃/m), a natural microporous mineral, has been investigated using in-situ HP-synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction up to 7.67 GPa with a diamond anvil cell under hydrostatic conditions. No phase transition has been observed within the pressure range investigated. Axial and volume isothermal Equations of State (EoS) of vanadinite were determined. Fitting the P–V data with a third-order Birch-Murnaghan (BM) EoS, using the data weighted by the uncertainties in P and V, we obtained: V ₀ = 681(1) Å³, K ₀ = 41(5) GPa, and K′ = 12.5(2.5). The evolution of the lattice constants with P shows a strong anisotropic compression pattern. The axial bulk moduli were calculated with a third-order “linearized” BM-EoS. The EoS parameters are: a ₀ = 10.3302(2) Å, K ₀(a) = 35(2) GPa and K′(a) = 10(1) for the a-axis; c ₀ = 7.3520(3) Å, K ₀(c) = 98(4) GPa, and K′(c) = 9(2) for the c-axis (K ₀(a):K ₀(c) = 1:2.80). Axial and volume Eulerian-finite strain (fe) at different normalized stress (Fe) were calculated. The weighted linear regression through the data points yields the following intercept values: Fe _a (0) = 35(2) GPa for the a-axis, Fe _c (0) = 98(4) GPa for the c-axis and Fe _V (0) = 45(2) GPa for the unit-cell volume. The slope of the regression lines gives rise to K′ values of 10(1) for the a-axis, 9(2) for the c-axis and 11(1) for the unit cell-volume. A comparison between the HP-elastic response of vanadinite and the iso-structural apatite is carried out. The possible reasons of the elastic anisotropy are discussed.     

Three cubic phases intergrown in a birefringent andradite-grossular garnet and their implications

The crystal chemistry across the garnet series is examined, and several systematic trends are reported. The crystal structure of three different cubic phases intergrown in a birefringent near end-member andradite from Namibia was refined by the Rietveld method, space group $ Ia\bar{3}d, $ Ia 3 ¯ d , and monochromatic synchrotron high-resolution powder X-ray diffraction data. Electron microprobe results indicate three phases with distinct compositions. The sample is birefringent, indicating that it is not cubic when observed optically. The reduced χ ² and overall R (F ²) Rietveld refinement values are 1.655 and 0.0284, respectively, so the multi-phase refinement is excellent. The composition, weight %, unit-cell parameter (Å), distances (Å), and site-occupancy factors (sofs) are as follows: phase-1, Adr₉₉, 88.5(1)  %, a = 12.06259(1), average 〈Ca–O〉 = 2.4310, Fe–O = 2.0189(4), Si–O = 1.6490(4) Å, Ca(sof) = 0.948(1), Fe(sof) = 0.934(1), and Si(sof) = 0.940(1). For phase-2: Adr₇₁Grs₂₈, 7.1(1) %, a = 12.00361(5), average 〈Ca–O〉 = 2.440, Fe–O = 1.979(3), Si–O = 1.641(3) Å, Ca(sof) = 0.913(5), Fe(sof) = 0.767(4), and Si(sof) = 0.932(5). For phase-3: Grs₇₉Adr₁₇, 4.4(1) %, a = 11.89719(4), average 〈Ca–O〉 = 2.404, Al–O = 1.935(4), Si–O = 1.667(3) Å, Ca(sof) = 0.944(6), Al(sof) = 1.069(7), and Si(sof) = 0.887(5). The dominant phase-1 (89 %; Adr₉₉) is nearly end-member andradite, Ca₃Fe ₂ ³⁺ Si₃O₁₂, which contains no cation order in the Ca(X) or Fe(Y) sites. The intergrowth of the three cubic phases causes considerable strain in the minor phases-2 and phases-3 that arise from different structural parameters and gives rise to strain-induced birefringence. For comparison, the results for an isotropic, single-phase, grossular–andradite garnet (Grs₇₆Adr₂₁) are also presented. The strain in the minor phases is about 3–5 times more than the unstrained dominant phase-1, or the unstrained single-phase grossular–andradite.     

Crystal chemistry, thermal expansion, and Raman spectra of hydroxyl-clinohumite: implications for water in Earth’s interior

Two samples of hydroxyl-clinohumite, sample SZ0407B with approximate composition Mg_8.674(14)Fe_0.374(4)(Si_0.99(1)O₄)₄(OH)₂ and sample SZ0411B with composition Mg₉(SiO₄)₄(OH)₂, were synthesized at 12 GPa and 1,250 °C coexisting with olivine. Unit-cell parameters determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction are given as follows: a = 4.7525(4) Å, b = 10.2935(12) Å, c = 13.7077(10) Å, α = 100.645(9)°, V = 659.04(9) Å³ for SZ0407B, and a = 4.7518(6) Å, b = 10.2861(12) Å, c = 13.7008(9) Å, α = 100.638(9)°, V = 658.15(9) Å³ for SZ0411B. Single-crystal X-ray intensity data were collected for crystal structure refinements of both samples. Relative to the pure-Mg sample, Fe decreases M3–OH bond lengths by ~0.010(3) Å, consistent with some ferric iron ordering into M3. Raman spectroscopy shows two strong bands in the lattice-mode region at 650 and 690 cm^?1 in the Fe-bearing sample, which are not observed in the pure-Mg sample. Spectra in the H₂O region show at least five bands, which are deconvolved into seven distinct O–H-stretching modes. Thermal expansion measurements were carried out for both samples from 153 to 787 K by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The average a-, b-, c-axial and volumetric thermal expansion coefficients (10^?6 K^?1) are 10.5(1), 12.3(2), 12.5(2) and 34.9(5) for SZ0407B, respectively, and 11.1(1), 12.6(3), 13.7(3), 36.8(6) for SZ0411B, respectively. After heating, the unit-cell parameters were refined again for each sample at ambient condition, and no significant changes were observed, indicating no significant oxidation or dehydration during the experiment. For the DHMS phases along the brucite–forsterite join, linear regression gives a systematic linear decrease in expansivity with increasing density. Further, substitution of ferrous iron into these structures decreases thermal expansivity, making the Fe-bearing varieties slightly stiffer.     

Elastic behavior and pressure-induced structure evolution of topaz up to 45 GPa

The behavior of a natural topaz, Al_2.00Si_1.05O_4.00(OH_0.26F_1.75), has been investigated by means of in situ single-crystal synchrotron X-ray diffraction up to 45 GPa. No phase transition or change in the compressional regime has been observed within the pressure-range investigated. The compressional behavior was described with a third-order Birch–Murnaghan equation of state (III-BM-EoS). The III-BM-EoS parameters, simultaneously refined using the data weighted by the uncertainties in P and V, are as follows: K _V = 158(4) GPa and K _V ′ = 3.3(3). The confidence ellipse at 68.3 % (Δχ² = 2.30, 1σ) was calculated starting from the variance–covariance matrix of K _V and K′ obtained from the III-BM-EoS least-square procedure. The ellipse is elongated with a negative slope, indicating a negative correlation of the parameters K _V and K _V ′, with K _V = 158 ± 6 GPa and K _V ′ = 3.3 ± 4. A linearized III-BM-EoS was used to obtain the axial-EoS parameters (at room-P), yielding: K(a) = 146(5) GPa [β _a = 1/(3K(a)) = 0.00228(6) GPa^?1] and K′(a) = 4.6(3) for the a-axis; K(b) = 220(4) GPa [β _b = 0.00152(4) GPa^?1] and K′(b) = 2.6(3) for the b-axis; K(c) = 132(4) GPa [β _c = 0.00252(7) GPa^?1] and K′(c) = 3.3(3) for the c-axis. The elastic anisotropy of topaz at room-P can be expressed as: K(a):K(b):K(c) = 1.10:1.67:1.00 (β _a:β _b:β _c = 1.50:1.00:1.66). A series of structure refinements have been performed based on the intensity data collected at high pressure, showing that the P-induced structure evolution at the atomic scale is mainly represented by polyhedral compression along with inter-polyhedral tilting. A comparative analysis of the elastic behavior and P/T-stability of topaz polymorphs and “phase egg” (i.e., AlSiO₃OH) is carried out.     

The crystal chemistry of lithium and Fe3+ in synthetic orthopyroxene

Lithian ferrian enstatite with Li₂O = 1.39 wt% and Fe₂O₃ 7.54 wt% was synthesised in the (MgO–Li₂O–FeO–SiO₂–H₂O) system at P = 0.3 GPa, T = 1,000°C, fO₂ = +2 Pbca, and a = 18.2113(7), b = 8.8172(3), c = 5.2050(2) Å, V = 835.79(9) Å³. The composition of the orthopyroxene was determined combining EMP, LA-ICP-MS and single-crystal XRD analysis, yielding the unit formula ^M2(Mg_0.59Fe _0.21 ²⁺ Li_0.20) ^M1(Mg_0.74Fe _0.20 ³⁺ Fe _0.06 ²⁺ ) Si₂O₆. Structure refinements done on crystals obtained from synthesis runs with variable Mg-content show that the orthopyroxene is virtually constant in composition and hence in structure, whereas coexisting clinopyroxenes occurring both as individual grains or thin rims around the orthopyroxene crystals have variable amounts of Li, Fe³⁺ and Mg contents. Structure refinement shows that Li is ordered at the M2 site and Fe³⁺ is ordered at the M1 site of the orthopyroxene, whereas Mg (and Fe²⁺) distributes over both octahedral sites. The main geometrical variations observed for Li-rich samples are actually due to the presence of Fe³⁺, which affects significantly the geometry of the M1 site; changes in the geometry of the M2 site due to the lower coordination of Li are likely to affect both the degree and the kinetics of the non-convergent Fe²⁺-Mg ordering process in octahedral sites.     

Origin of birefringence in andradite from Arizona, Madagascar, and Iran

The crystal structure of four birefringent andradite samples (two from Arizona, one from Madagascar, and one from Iran) was refined with the Rietveld method, space group $Ia\overline{3} d$ , and monochromatic synchrotron high-resolution powder X-ray diffraction (HRPXRD) data. Each sample contains an assemblage of three different cubic phases. From the electron-microprobe (EMPA) results, fine-scale intergrowths in the Arizona-2 and Madagascar samples appear homogeneous with nearly identical compositions of {Ca_2.99Mg_0.01}_Σ3[ ${\text{Fe}}_{1.99}^{3 + }$ ${\text{Mn}}_{0.01}^{3 + }$ ]_Σ2(Si_2.95Al_0.03 ${\text{Fe}}_{0.02}^{3 + }$ )_Σ3O₁₂, Adr₉₈ (Arizona-2), and Adr₉₇ (Madagascar). Both samples are near-end-member andradite, ideally {Ca₃}[ ${\text{Fe}}_{2}^{3 + }$ ](Si₃)O₁₂, so cation ordering in the X, Y, or Z sites is not possible. Because of the large-scale intergrowths, the Arizona-1 and Iran samples contain three different compositions. Arizona-1 has compositions Adr₉₇ (phase-1), Adr₉₃Grs₄ (phase-2), and Adr₈₇Grs₁₁ (phase-3). Iran sample has compositions Adr₈₆Uv₁₂ (phase-1), Adr₆₉Uv₃₀ (phase-2), and Adr₇₆Uv₂₂ (phase-3). The crystal structure of the three phases within each sample was modeled quite well as indicated by the Rietveld refinement statistics of reduced χ² and overall R (F ²) values of, respectively, 1.980 and 0.0291 (Arizona-1); 1.091 and 0.0305 (Arizona-2); 1.362 and 0.0231 (Madagascar); and 1.681 and 0.0304 (Iran). The dominant phase for each sample has the following unit-cell parameters (Å) and weight fractions (%): a = 12.06314(1), 51.93(9) (Arizona-1); 12.04889(1), 52.47(1) (Arizona-2); 12.06276(1), 52.21(8) (Madagascar); and 12.05962(2), 63.3(1) (Iran). For these dominant phases, the distances and site occupancy factors (sofs) in terms of neutral atoms at the Ca(X), Fe(Y), and Si(Z) sites are as follows: <Ca–O> = 2.4348, Fe–O = 2.0121(6), Si–O = 1.6508(6) Å; Ca(sof) = 0.955(2), Fe(sof) = 0.930(2), and Si(sof) = 0.917(2) (Arizona-1); <Ca–O> = 2.4288, Fe–O = 2.0148(7), Si–O = 1.6476(7) Å; Ca(sof) = 0.953(2), Fe(sof) = 0.891(2), and Si(sof) = 0.927(2) (Arizona-2); <Ca–O> = 2.4319, Fe–O = 2.0220(6), Si–O = 1.6460(6) Å; Ca(sof) = 0.955(2), Fe(sof) = 0.941(2), and Si(sof) = 0.939(2) (Madagascar); and <Ca–O> = 2.4344, Fe–O = 2.0156(8), Si–O = 1.6468(8) Å; Ca(sof) = 0.928(2), Fe(sof) = 0.908(2), and Si(sof) = 0.932(3) (Iran). The sofs based on the EMPA results are similar to those obtained from the Rietveld refinement. Each phase in the HRPXRD results can be correlated with a specific chemical composition. For example, the Iran sample composition Adr₆₃Uv₃₀ corresponds to phase-3 that has the smallest unit-cell parameter; Adr₇₆Uv₂₂ corresponds to phase-1 that has the intermediate cell value; and Adr₈₆Uv₁₃ corresponds to phase-2 that has the largest unit-cell parameter. The bond distances compare well with those obtained from radii sum. The three different cubic phases in each sample cause strain that arises from the mismatch of the cubic unit-cell parameters and give rise to birefringence.     

Pressure induced phase transition in Pb<Subscript>6</Subscript>Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>S<Subscript>9</Subscript>

The crystal structure of Pb₆Bi₂S₉ is investigated at pressures between 0 and 5.6 GPa with X-ray diffraction on single-crystals. The pressure is applied using diamond anvil cells. Heyrovskyite (Bbmm, a = 13.719(4) Å, b = 31.393(9) Å, c = 4.1319(10) Å, Z = 4) is the stable phase of Pb₆Bi₂S₉ at ambient conditions and is built from distorted moduli of PbS-archetype structure with a low stereochemical activity of the Pb²⁺ and Bi³⁺ lone electron pairs. Heyrovskyite is stable until at least 3.9 GPa and a first-order phase transition occurs between 3.9 and 4.8 GPa. A single-crystal is retained after the reversible phase transition despite an anisotropic contraction of the unit cell and a volume decrease of 4.2%. The crystal structure of the high pressure phase, β-Pb₆Bi₂S₉, is solved in Pna2 ₁ (a = 25.302(7) Å, b = 30.819(9) Å, c = 4.0640(13) Å, Z = 8) from synchrotron data at 5.06 GPa. This structure consists of two types of moduli with SnS/TlI-archetype structure in which the Pb and Bi lone pairs are strongly expressed. The mechanism of the phase transition is described in detail and the results are compared to the closely related phase transition in Pb₃Bi₂S₆ (lillianite).     

Hydrogen bond effects on compressional behavior of isotypic minerals: high-pressure polymorphism of cristobalite-like Be(OH)<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Three isotypic crystals, SiO₂ (α-cristobalite), ε-Zn(OH)₂ (wülfingite), and Be(OH)₂ (β-behoite), with topologically identical frameworks of corner-connected tetrahedra, undergo displacive compression-driven phase transitions at similar pressures (1.5–2.0 GPa), but each transition is characterized by a different mechanism resulting in different structural modifications. In this study, we report the crystal structure of the high-pressure γ-phase of beryllium hydroxide and compare it with the high-pressure structures of the other two minerals. In Be(OH)₂, the transition from the ambient β-behoite phase with the orthorhombic space group P2₁2₁2₁ and ambient unit cell parameters a = 4.5403(4) Å, b = 4.6253(5) Å, c = 7.0599(7) Å, to the high-pressure orthorhombic γ-polymorph with space group Fdd2 and unit cell parameters (at 5.3(1) GPa) a = 5.738(2) Å, b = 6.260(3) Å, c = 7.200(4) Å takes place between 1.7 and 3.6 GPa. This transition is essentially second order, is accompanied by a negligible volume discontinuity, and exhibits both displacive and reversible character. The mechanism of the phase transition results in a change to the hydrogen bond connectivities and rotation of the BeO₄ tetrahedra.     

Crystal structure, Raman and FTIR spectroscopy, and equations of state of OH-bearing MgSiO3 akimotoite

MgSiO₃ akimotoite is stable relative to majorite-garnet under low-temperature geotherms within steeply or rapidly subducting slabs. Two compositions of Mg–akimotoite were synthesized under similar conditions: Z674 (containing about 550 ppm wt H₂O) was synthesized at 22 GPa and 1,500 °C and SH1101 (nominally anhydrous) was synthesized at 22 GPa and 1,250 °C. Crystal structures of both samples differ significantly from previous studies to give slightly smaller Si sites and larger Mg sites. The bulk thermal expansion coefficients of Z674 are (153–839 K) of a ₁ = 20(3) × 10^?9 K^?2 and a ₀ = 17(2) × 10^?6 K^?1, with an average of α ₀ = 27.1(6) × 10^?6 K^?1. Compressibility at ambient temperature of Z674 was measured up to 34.6 GPa at Sector 13 (GSECARS) at Advanced Photon Source Argonne National Laboratory. The second-order Birch–Murnaghan equation of state (BM2 EoS) fitting yields: V ₀ = 263.7(2) Å³, K _T0 = 217(3) GPa (K′ fixed at 4). The anisotropies of axial thermal expansivities and compressibilities are similar: α _a  = 8.2(3) and α _c  = 10.68(9) (10^?6 K^?1); β _a  = 11.4(3) and β _c  = 15.9(3) (10^?4 GPa). Hydration increases both the bulk thermal expansivity and compressibility, but decreases the anisotropy of structural expansion and compression. Complementary Raman and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy shows multiple structural hydration sites. Low-temperature and high-pressure FTIR spectroscopy (15–300 K and 0–28 GPa) confirms that the multiple sites are structurally unique, with zero-pressure intrinsic anharmonic mode parameters between ?1.02 × 10^?5 and +1.7 × 10^?5 K^?1, indicating both weak hydrogen bonds (O–H···O) and strong OH bonding due to long O···O distances.     

The effect of cation ordering and temperature on the high-pressure behaviour of dolomite

Synchrotron single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiments at high-pressure and high-temperature conditions were performed up to 20 GPa and 573.0(2) K on a fully ordered stoichiometric dolomite and a partially disordered stoichiometric dolomite [order parameter, s = 0.26(6)]. The ordered dolomite was found to be stable up to approximately 14 GPa at ambient temperature and up to approximately 17 GPa at T = 573.0(2) K. The P–V data from the ambient temperature experiments were analysed by a second-order Birch–Murnaghan equation-of-state giving K ₀ = 92.7(9) GPa for the ordered dolomite and K ₀ = 92.5(8) GPa for the disordered dolomite. The high-temperature data, collected for the ordered sample, were fitted by a third-order Birch–Murnaghan equation-of-state resulting in K ₀ = 95(6) GPa and K′ = 2.6(7). In order to compare the three experiments results, a third-order Birch–Murnaghan equation-of-state was also calculated for the ambient temperature experiments giving K ₀ = 93(3) GPa, K′ = 3.9(6) for the ordered dolomite and K ₀ = 92(3) GPa, K′ = 4.0(4) for the disordered dolomite. The derived axial moduli show that dolomite compresses very anisotropically, being the c-axis approximately three times more compressible than the a-axis. The axial compressibility increases as T increases, and the a-axis is the most temperature-influenced axis. On the contrary, axial compressibility is not influenced by disordering. Structural refinements at different pressures show that Ca and Mg octahedra are almost equally compressible in the ordered dolomite with K(CaO₆) = 109(4) GPa and K(MgO₆) = 103(3) GPa. On the contrary, CaO₆ compressibility is reduced and MgO₆ compressibility is increased in the disordered crystal structure where K(CaO₆) = 139(4) GPa and K(MgO₆) = 89(4) GPa. Disordering is found to increase CaO₆ and to decrease MgO₆ bond strengths, thus making stiffer the Ca octahedron and softer the Mg octahedron. Cation polyhedra are distorted in both ordered and disordered dolomites and they increase in regularity as P increases. Ordered dolomite approaches regularity at approximately 14 GPa. The increase in regularity of octahedra in the disordered dolomite is strongly affected by the very slow regularization of MgO₆ with respect to CaO₆. The phase transition to the high-pressure polymorph of dolomite (dolomite-II), which is driven by a significant increase in the regularity of both cations polyhedra and mineral crystal structure, occurs in the ordered dolomite at ambient temperature at approximately 14 GPa; whereas no clear evidences of phase transition were observed as regards the disordered crystal structure.     

X-ray single-crystal and Raman study of knorringite,Mg3(Cr1.58Mg0.21Si0.21)Si3O12, synthesized at 16 GPa and 1,600 °C

The crystal structure of a knorringite-type compound, Mg₃(Cr_1.58Mg_0.21Si_0.21)Si₃O₁₂, synthesized in a multi-anvil press at P = 16 GPa and T = 1,600 °C, was refined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data up to R = 2.36 % for 314 independent reflections. Garnet was found to be cubic and have space group Ia $\overline{3}$ d, with the unit cell parameters a = 11.5718 (1) Å, V = 1,549.54 (2) Å³. The knorringite crystal studied contains 21 mol% of majorite end-member. The structural characterization of knorringitic garnet is important because the study of its thermodynamic constants provides new constraints on thermobarometry of peridotitic garnet assemblages of the lowermost upper mantle. The Raman spectra of synthetic knorringite have been obtained for the first time.     

Stability at high-pressure,elastic behaviour and pressure-induced structural evolution of CsAlSi<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript>, a potential host for nuclear waste

The elastic and structural behaviour of the synthetic zeolite CsAlSi₅O₁₂ (a = 16.753(4), b = 13.797(3) and c = 5.0235(17) Å, space group Ama2, Z = 2) were investigated up to 8.5 GPa by in situ single-crystal X-ray diffraction with a diamond anvil cell under hydrostatic conditions. No phase-transition occurs within the P-range investigated. Fitting the volume data with a third-order Birch–Murnaghan equation-of-state gives: V ₀ = 1,155(4) ų, K _T0 = 20(1) GPa and K′ = 6.5(7). The “axial moduli” were calculated with a third-order “linearized” BM-EoS, substituting the cube of the individual lattice parameter (a ³, b ³, c ³) for the volume. The refined axial-EoS parameters are: a ₀ = 16.701(44) Å, K _T0a = 14(2) GPa (β_a = 0.024(3) GPa^?1), K′ _a = 6.2(8) for the a-axis; b ₀ = 13.778(20) Å, K _T0b = 21(3) GPa (β_b = 0.016(2) GPa^?1), K′ _b = 10(2) for the b-axis; c ₀ = 5.018(7) Å, K _T0c = 33(3) GPa (β_c = 0.010(1) GPa^?1), K′ _c = 3.2(8) for the c-axis (K _T0a:K _T0b:K _T0c = 1:1.50:2.36). The HP-crystal structure evolution was studied on the basis of several structural refinements at different pressures: 0.0001 GPa (with crystal in DAC without any pressure medium), 1.58(3), 1.75(4), 1.94(6), 3.25(4), 4.69(5), 7.36(6), 8.45(5) and 0.0001 GPa (after decompression). The main deformation mechanisms at high-pressure are basically driven by tetrahedral tilting, the tetrahedra behaving as rigid-units. A change in the compressional mechanisms was observed at P ≤ 2 GPa. The P-induced structural rearrangement up to 8.5 GPa is completely reversible. The high thermo-elastic stability of CsAlSi₅O_12, the immobility of Cs at HT/HP-conditions, the preservation of crystallinity at least up to 8.5 GPa and 1,000°C in elastic regime and the extremely low leaching rate of Cs from CsAlSi₅O₁₂ allow to consider this open-framework silicate as functional material potentially usable for fixation and deposition of Cs radioisotopes.