A neutron powder diffraction study of the crystal and magnetic structures of ilvaite from 305 K to 5 K — a mixed valence iron silicate with an electronic transition

The crystal and magnetic structures of ilvaite Ca(Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺)Fe²⁺Si₂O₇O(OH) have been obtained by profile refinement of high resolution neutron powder data from a natural sample from Seriphos, Greece. Below about 400 K an electronic transition from an itinerant to an ordered state is expected, with the structure changing from orthorhombic to monoclinic. The structure remains monoclinic P2 ₁/a down to 5 K, with Fe²⁺ almost completely ordered on one of the A-sites and Fe³⁺ on the other: the ordering may increase with decreasing temperature. The B-site contains Fe²⁺ plus a small amount of Mn²⁺ impurity. There are two magnetic transitions, at 116 K and 40 K: at 80 K the Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ spins on the A-sites along one infinite c-axis chain are parallel, and antiparallel to those along the adjoined edge-sharing centrosymmetrically related chain. The spin vectors are all perpendicular to the plane of these chains, i.e. almost parallel to the crystallographic b-axis. At 5 K, this order is maintained, but the Fe²⁺ spins on the B-sites order antiferromagnetically as well, again almost along the b-axis. These results explain the earlier Mössbauer and magnetisation measurements.     

Structure and Mössbauer spectroscopy of barbosalite Fe2+Fe3+ 2 (PO4)2(OH)2 between 80 K and 300 K

Natural barbosalite Fe²⁺Fe³⁺ ₂ (PO₄)₂(OH)₂ from Bull Moose Mine, South Dakota, U.S.A., having ideal composition, was investigated with single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques, Mössbauer spectroscopy and SQUID magnetometry to redetermine crystal structure, valence state of iron and evolution of ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer parameter and to propose the magnetic structure at low temperatures. At 298?K the title compound is monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, a _o ?= 7.3294(16)?Å, b _o ?=?7.4921(17)?Å, c _o ?=?7.4148 (18)?Å, β?=?118.43(3)°, Z?=?2. No crystallographic phase transition was observed between 298?K and 110?K. Slight discontinuities in the temperature dependence of lattice parameters and bond angles in the range between 150?K and 180?K are ascribed to the magnetic phase transition of the title compound. At 298?K the Mössbauer spectrum of the barbosalite shows two paramagnetic components, typical for Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ in octahedral coordination; the area ratio Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ is exactly two, corresponding to the ideal value. Both the Fe²⁺ and the Fe³⁺ sublattice order magnetically below 173?K and exhibit a fully developed magnetic pattern at 160?K. The electric field gradient at the Fe²⁺ site is distorted from axial symmetry with the direction of the magnetic field nearly perpendicular to V_zz, the main component of the electric field gradient. The temperature dependent magnetic susceptibility exhibits strong antiferromagnetic ordering within the corner-sharing Fe³⁺-chains parallel to [101], whereas ferromagnetic coupling is assumed within the face-sharing [1?1?0] and [?1?1?0] Fe³⁺-Fe²⁺-Fe³⁺ trimer, connecting the Fe³⁺-chains to each other.     

Mössbauer spectra and magnetic features of ilvaites

Ilvaite samples from six different localities in Japan are found to be members of a solid-solution series varying from Ca(Fe²⁺,Fe³⁺)₂Fe²⁺(OH)O Si₂O₇ to approaximately Ca(Fe²⁺,Fe³⁺)₂Fe _0.5 ²⁺ Mn _0.5 ²⁺ (OH)O Si₂O₇, and have been studied by Mössbauer spectrometry and magnetic measurements. The variation in intensity of Mössbauer doublets confirms that Mn substitutes for Fe²⁺ in the M(B) cation site. An temperatures decreasing from 300 K to 4K, an abrupt change in the reciprocal mass magnetic susceptibility, 1/x _g, occurs about 120 K; 1/x _g depends linearly upon temperature above 120 K. This change, which is characterized by an unusual mode of decrease in 1/x _g, has been interpreted based on Mössbauer spectra at 80 K: the spectra of Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ in the M(A) site show Zeeman splitting, whereas those of Fe²⁺ in the M(B) site do not show the effect. This Mössbauer evidence suggests that magnetic spins of Fe in M(A) are in an ordered state, very likely of antiparallel coupling, whereas those of Fe in M(B) are randomly oriented, showing that below 120 K ilvaite has two different magnetic states for Fe ions. As there is a line of evidence that the spins of Fe in M(B) would take an ordered state at extremely low temperatures, ilvaite magnetism may be regarded as basically antiferromagnetic. The magnetic spins of Fe in M(A) and M(B) undergo magnetic transitions at different specific temperatures, thus giving as a whole unusual features of magnetism.     

X-ray diffraction study of Fe2+-Mg order-disorder in orthopyroxene. Some kinetic results

Kinetic rates of Fe²⁺-Mg disordering in three orthopyroxenes (mean value of X_Fe = Fe²⁺/(Fe²⁺+Mg) = 0.175,0.482,0.770 respectively) have been determined employing heating experiments and single crystal X-ray structural refinements. Disordering rate constants \((\vec K)\) (550800° C) for two pyroxenes are given by: ln \((\vec K)\) = 27.107(±5.177)?32062(±783)T^?1(X_Fe = 0.175) ln \((\vec K)\) = 16.142(±0.057)?18227(±423)T^?1(X_Fe = 0.770) The distribution coefficients K_D (representing a steady state of disordering Fe_M2 + Mg_M1 ? Fe_M1 + Mg_M2) are given by: ln K_D = 5.016(±0.223)-7033(±1473) T^?1(X_Fe = 0.175) ln K_D = 1.988(±0.122)-3809(±913)T^?1(X_Fe = 0.770) These distribution coefficients provide the constraint of the disordering reaction on the value of the equilibrium constant for Fe²⁺-Mg order-disorder. Until the low temperature dependence of K_D is well constrained, the calculation of cooling rates of pyroxenes and host rocks cannot be done reliably.     

Ilvaite: A study of temperature dependent electron delocalization by the mössbauer effect

The mixed valence iron silicate ilvaite, CaFe ₂ ²⁺ Fe³⁺Si₂O₈(OH), displays electron delocalization associated with Fe²⁺→Fe³⁺ charge transfer as observed by Mössbauer spectroscopy. Previous studies report the observation of an ‘electron hopping phenomenon’ with resolution of discrete valence states below 320 K. Mössbauer spectra of a suite of naturally occurring ilvaites were recorded over a temperature range, 80 K to 575 K. Five quadrupole doublets were resolved by computer fitting and assigned to Fe²⁺(A), Fe²⁺(B), Fe³⁺(A), and Fe²⁺(A)→Fe³⁺(A)‖c and ⊥c. Contrary to prior work, doublets associated with electron delocalization are resolved at 80 K and preclude the use of a Verwey-type order-disorder model. We propose a thermal activation model and discuss its criteria from molecular orbital and mineralogical viewpoints.     

Electron delocalization in ilvaite,a reinterpretation of its 57Fe Mössbauer spectrum

The Mössbauer spectra of ilvaite CaFe ₂ ²⁺ Fe³⁺[Si₂O₇/O/OH] and their temperature dependence between 298 K and 455 K can be satisfactorily least-squares fitted by a superposition of the resonances for Fe²⁺(8d), Fe³⁺(8d) and Fe²⁺(4c). The relative areas under the three resonances are nearly equal and vary only weakly with temperature. No additional resonances or line broadenings have to be introduced, if we assume that the hyperfine interactions of Fe²⁺(8d) and Fe³⁺(8d) fluctuate between their values due to electron hopping between the iron ions at the 8d sites. Hopping can be assumed to occur homogeneously among nearly equivalent sites. The fluctuation rate is described by an Arrhenius law with a pre-exponent of about 9 × 10⁸ s^?1 and an activation energy of 0.11 eV indicating non-adiabatic hopping. In addition to the intersite hopping process, the strong decrease of the quadrupole splitting and the isomer shift of Fe²⁺(8d) between 298 K and 360 K suggests the occurrence of intrinsic charge delocalization from Fe²⁺(8d) which does not involve the neighbouring Fe³⁺(8d) ions.     

Phase transitions in ilvaite,a mixed-valence iron silicate I. A 57Fe Mössbauer study of magnetic order and spin frustration

Ilvaite, Ca(Fe²⁺,Fe³⁺)Fe²⁺Si₂O₈(OH) shows two magnetic phase transitions, which have been studied by Mössbauer spectroscopy within the temperature range 120–4 K. The continued charge localization between Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions in octahedral A-sites causes the Fe²⁺-Fe³⁺ interaction to be ferromagnetic, although the overall magnetic order is antiferromagnetic. The thermal evolution of the hyperfine fields at the Fe²⁺ (A) and Fe³⁺ (A) sites indicates B _hf: 328 and 523 kOe respectively at 0 K and T _N1= 116K. The corresponding values for Fe²⁺ (B) site are: B _hf 186 kOe and T _N2=36K. An additional hyperfine field exists at the Fe²⁺(B) site within the temperature range 116–36K due to short-range order induced by the spin ordering in A sites. The considerable difference between the two magnetic transition temperatures is due to spin frustration, because the Fe²⁺ (B) site occurs on a corner common between two triangles with respect to two sets of Fe²⁺ (A) and Fe³⁺ (A) sites with opposite spin directions.     

Crystallographic,Mössbauer and electrokinetic study of synthetic lipscombite

The transformation of vivianite and the direct synthesis starting from pure chemicals lead to the formation of lipscombite {Fe _x ²⁺ Fe _3?x ³⁺ [(OH)_3?x/(PO₄)₂]} with varying Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ molar ratios. The influence of this ratio on the Mössbauer spectra, solubility, electrokinetic potential and infrared spectra has been studied. By means of Mössbauer spectroscopy, the distribution of the Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions between the octahedral sites I and II has been investigated. The unit cell dimensions have been determined from Guinier-Hägg X-ray diffraction patterns. The crystal system is tetragonal for synthetic lipscombite with a=5.3020±0.0005 Å and c=12.8800±0.0005 Å. Lipscombite has been found to show a negative and time-dependent zeta-potential which, moreover, is influenced by the pH of the suspension and the Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ molar ratio. An explanation of the time-dependence of the zeta-potential on variations of solubility is proposed. Infrared absorption spectrum only is characterized by two absorption bands: v _OH(3,500 cm^?1) and v _P?O(1,100-960 cm^?1). The density at 25° C is determined in toluene as 3.36±0.01 g·cm^?3.     

Dielectric constants of tephroite,fayalite and olivine and the oxide additivity rule

The dielectric constants and dissipation factors of synthetic tephroite (Mn₂SiO₄), fayalite (Fe₃SiO₄) and a forsteritic olivine (Mg_1.80Fe_0.22SiO₄) were measured at 1 MHz using a two-terminal method and empirically determined edge corrections. The results are: tephroite, κ′_a= 8.79 tan δ_a = 0.0006 κ′_b = 10.20 tan δ_b = 0.0006 κ′_c= 8.94 tan δ_c= 0.0008 fayalite, gk′_a = 8.80 tan δ_a = 0.0004 gk′_b= 8.92 tan δ_b = 0.0018 gk′_c = 8.58 tan δ_c = 0.0010 olivine, gk′_a = 7.16 tan δ_a = 0.0006 gk′_b = 7.61 tan δ_b = 0.0008 gk′_c = 7.03 tan δ_c = 0.0006 The low dielectric constant and loss of the fayalite indicate an exceptionally low Fe³⁺ content. An FeO polarizability of 4.18 ų, determined from α_D(FeO) = [α_D (Fe₂SiO₄)-α_D(SiO₂)]/2, is probably a more reliable value for stoichiometric FeO than could be obtained from Fe_xO where x = 0.90–0.95. The agreement between measured dielectric polarizabilities as determined from the Clausius-Mosotti equation and those calculated from the sum of oxide polarizabilities according to α_D(M₂M′X₂) = 2α_D(MX) + α_D(M′X₂) is ～+2.8% for tephroite and +0.2% for olivine. The deviation from additivity in tephroite is discussed.     

Mössbauer spectra of kyanite,aquamarine, and cordierite showing intervalence charge transfer

The blue colors of several minerals and gems, including aquamarine (beryl, Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈) and cordierite (Al₃(Mg, Fe)₂Si₅AlO₁₈), have been attributed to charge transfer (CT) between adjacent Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ cations, while Fe²⁺→Ti⁴⁺ CT has been proposed for blue kyanites (Al₂SiO₅). Such assignments were based on chemical analyses and on polarization-dependent absorption bands measured in visible-region spectra. We have attempted to characterize the Fe cations in each of these minerals by Mössbauer spectroscopy (MS). In blue kyanites, significant amounts of both Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ were detected with MS, indicating that Fe²⁺→Fe³⁺ CT, Fe²⁺→Ti⁴⁺ CT, and Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ crystal field transitions each could contribute to the electronic spectra. In aquamarines, coexisting Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions were resolved by MS, supporting our assignment of the broad, relatively weak band at 16,100 cm^?1 in E∥c spectra to Fe²⁺→Fe³⁺ CT between Fe cations replacing Al³⁺ ions 4.6Å apart along c. A band at 17,500 cm^?1 in E⊥c spectra of cordierite is generally assigned to Fe²⁺ (oct)→Fe³⁺ (tet) CT between cations only 2.74 Å apart. However, no Fe³⁺ ions were detected in the MS at 293K of several blue cordierites showing the 17,500 cm^?1 band and reported to contain Fe³⁺. A quadrupole doublet with parameters consistent with tetrahedral Fe³⁺ appears in 77K MS, but the Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ ratios from MS are much smaller than values from chemical analysis. These results sound a cautionary note when correlating Mössbauer and chemically determined Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ ratios for minerals exhibiting Fe²⁺→Fe³⁺ CT.     

Reassignment of the absorption spectra of purple yoderite

Polarized spectra E∥X, E∥Y, and E∥Z of purple yoderite, taken at 295 and 100 K, result in a revised interpretation for the mineral. Major bands at around 16,900 (X>Y?Z), 18,600 (X?Y), and 20,600 cm^?1 (X≈Z>Y) may be attributed to spin-allowed transitions of Mn³⁺ in trigonal bipyramids (A2 or A3). Minor features may be assigned to single ion Fe³⁺. However, charge transfer possibilities for bands at 18,600 and 25,500 cm^?1 in yoderite cannot be ruled out and are discussed. The extremely high intensity of Mn³⁺ spin-allowed bands (?, 216 to 1,900 [1·g-atom^?1·cm^?1]) is attributed to fivefold coordination of the A2 and A3 position and to the covalency of the Mn³⁺-O bonds.     

Magnetic order in grunerite,Fe7Si8O22(OH)2A quasi-one dimensional antiferromagnet with a spin canting transition

Magnetization and neutron diffraction measurements have been made on grunerite, Fe₇Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂, a monoclinic double-chain silicate with Fe²⁺ octahedral bands. The mineral orders antiferromagnetically at 47K into a collinear structure with a second transition at 8K to a canted arrangement. The magnetic susceptibility follows a Curie-Weiss Law above 120K, with a paramagnetic Curie temeprature ?_p=67K. Magnetization measurements below 47K indicate a spin-flop or metamagnetic transition in an applied field of about 12KOe. Powder neutron diffraction measurements between 8–45K reveal that all the Fe²⁺ spins within an octahedral band are ferromagnetically coupled parallel to the b axis, with each band antiferromagnetically coupled to neighboring bands. Below 8K Fe²⁺ spins at the M1 and M4 sites are canted away from the b axis, whereas those at the M2 and M3 sites are not significantly affected. The ordered Fe²⁺ moment on the M4 site is substantially lower than those on the other sites, most likely indicating strong covalency effects, i.e. considerable spin transfer to neighboring oxygen atoms.     

Fe2+-Fe3+ interactions in tourmaline

The color and spectroscopic properties of ironbearing tourmalines (elbaite, dravite, uvite, schorl) do not vary smoothly with iron concentration. Such behavior has often been ascribed to intervalence charge transfer between Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ which produces a new, intense absorption band in the visible portion of the spectrum. In the case of tourmaline, an entirely different manifestation of the interaction between Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ occurs in which the Fe²⁺ bands are intensified without an intense, new absorption band. At low iron concentrations, the intensity of light absorption from Fe²⁺ is about the same for E∥c and E⊥c polarizations, but at high iron concentrations, the intensity of the E⊥c polarization increases more than ten times as much as E∥c. This difference is related to intensification of Fe²⁺ absorption by adjacent Fe³⁺. Extrapolations indicate that pairs of Fe²⁺-Fe³⁺ have Fe²⁺ absorption intensity ～200 times as great as isolated Fe²⁺. Enhanced Fe²⁺ absorption bands are recognized in tourmaline by their intensity increase at 78 K of up to 50%. Enhancement of Fe²⁺ absorption intensity provides a severe limitration on the accuracy of determinations of Fe²⁺ concentration and site occupancy by optical spectroscopic methods. Details of the assignment of tourmaline spectra in the optical region are reconsidered.     

Compositions and phase relations of calcic amphiboles in epidote- and clinopyroxene-bearing rocks of the amphibolite and lower granulite facies,central Massachusetts,USA

Calcic amphiboles coexisting with epidotegroup minerals (zoisite, clinozoisite, epidote) and/or clinopyroxene±plagioclase±quartz±garnet occur in amphibolites and calc-silicate rocks that underwent amphibolite to lower granulite-facies metamorphism in the Acadian metamorphic high of central Massachusetts, USA. Across the region, peak metamorphic conditions range from about 580° C and 6.2 kbar to 730° C and 6.3 kbar. The coexistence of most Ca-amphiboles with Fe³⁺-rich epidote-group minerals suggests the presence of Fe³⁺ in most of these amphiboles. An empirical Fe³⁺ estimation for the microprobe analyses is based on two constraints: the Na?Ca content of the M4 sites of Ca-saturated, gravimetrically analyzed hornblendes gives the relation: Ca(M4) ^c =-1.479 Na(M4) ^c +2 (c=corrected). The second constraint is the stoichiometric equation Ca(M4)+Na(M4)+FM=15, where FM is the sum of all cations exclusive of Ca, Na, and K. Solving the two equations simultaneously gives: 20.185=0.479 Ca(M4)+1.479 ΣFM. Starting with the uncorrected values of Ca(M4) ^u and ΣFM(M4) ^u (u = uncorrected) of the all ferrous formula, the normalization factor NF for calculating the corrected cations of the ferric formulas is: 20.185/(0.478 Ca(M4) ^u +1.479 ΣFM ^u ). From the deficient oxygen the Fe³⁺ content which is equal to 2(23-ΣOX) can be calculated. Determinations of Fe³⁺ contents of four hornblende separates by Mössbauer spectroscopy are in agreement with the calculated values. The Ca-amphiboles show systematic changes in composition with increasing grade of metamorphism within the amphibolite and lower granulite-facies zones: increasing edenite and tschermakite substitution, increasing Ti content, and increasing Fe²⁺/(Fe²⁺+Mg) ratio. In addition, the coexisting clinopyroxenes are also characterized by an increase in Fe²⁺/(Fe²⁺+Mg) ratio. In quartz-free rocks with coexisting Ca-amphibole and plagioclase there is an increase in the ratio X _Ab/X _Ed, where X _Ab=Na/(Na+Ca) in plagioclase and X _Ed=Na in the amphibole A-site. These chemical changes in mineral composition together with the disappearance of epidote at the transition to granulite-facies metamorphic conditions are attributed to the continuous reaction: albite+epidote+Fe-Mg hornblende→Fe?Mg clinopyroxene+anorthite+(NaAlSi_-1)^Hbl+H₂O.     

Magnetic properties of sheet silicates; 1:1 layer minerals

Three iron-rich 1:1 clay minerals, greenalite [Si₂]{Fe ₃ ²⁺ }O₅(OH)₄, berthiérine [Si, Al]₂{Fe², Mg, Fe³⁺, Al}₃ O₅(OH)₄ and cronstedtite [Si, Fe³⁺]₂{Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺}₃O₅(OH)₄ have been studied by Mössbauer spectroscopy, magnetization measurements and neutron diffraction to determine their magneticproperties. The predominant magnetic coupling is ferromagnetic for pairs of ferrous ions in the octahedral sheet, but antiferromagnetic for ferric pairs. The crystal field at Fe²⁺ sites in greenalite and berthiérine is effectively trigonal with an orbital singlet l _z=0 as ground state. These mainly ferrous minerals order magnetically at 17K and 9K respectively. The magnetic structure of greenalite consists of ferromagnetic octahedral sheets, with the moments lying in the plane, coupled antiferromagnetically by much weaker interplane interactions. The ratio of intraplane to interplane coupling is of order 50, so the silicate has a two-dimensional aspect, both structurally and magnetically. Although the overall magnetic order is established as antiferromagnetic by neutron diffraction, the magnetization curves resemble those of a ferromagnet because of the very weak interplane coupling. Cronstedtite orders antiferromagnetically around 10K. Moments within the planes are antiferromagnetically coupled. The magnetism has no particular two-dimensional character because exchange paths between the layers are provided by the ferric cations present in the tetrahedral sheets.     

Iron control by equilibria between hydroxy-Green Rusts and solutions in hydromorphic soils

In order to verify Fe control by solution - mineral equilibria, soil solutions were sampled in hydromorphic soils on granites and shales, where the occurrence of Green Rusts had been demonstrated by Mössbauer and Raman spectroscopies. Eh and pH were measured in situ, and Fe(II) analyzed by colorimetry. Ionic Activity Products were computed from aqueous Fe(II) rather than total Fe in an attempt to avoid overestimation by including colloidal particles. Solid phases considered are Fe(II) and Fe(III) hydroxides and oxides, and the Green Rusts whose general formula is [Fe^II_1−xFe^III_x(OH)₂]^+x· [x/z A^−z]^−x, where compensating interlayer anions, A⁻, can be Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻, CO₃²⁻ or OH⁻, and where x ranges a priori from 0 to 1. In large ranges of variation of pH, pe and Fe(II) concentration, soil solutions are (i) oversaturated with respect to Fe(III) oxides; (ii) undersaturated with respect to Fe(II) oxides, chloride-, sulphate- and carbonate-Green Rusts; (iii) in equilibrium with hydroxy-Green Rusts, i.e., Fe(II)-Fe(III) mixed hydroxides. The ratios, x = Fe(III)/Fe_t, derived from the best fits for equilibrium between minerals and soil solutions are 1/3, 1/2 and 2/3, depending on the sampling site, and are in every case identical to the same ratios directly measured by Mössbauer spectroscopy. This implies reversible equilibrium between Green Rust and solution. Solubility products are proposed for the various hydroxy-Green Rusts as follows: log K_sp = 28.2 ± 0.8 for the reaction Fe₃(OH)₇ + e⁻ + 7 H⁺ = 3 Fe²⁺ + 7 H₂O; log K_sp = 25.4 ± 0.7 for the reaction Fe₂(OH)₅ + e⁻ + 5 H⁺ = 2 Fe²⁺ + 5 H₂O; log K_sp = 45.8 ± 0.9 for the reaction Fe₃(OH)₈ + 2e⁻ + 8 H⁺ = 3 Fe²⁺ + 8 H₂O at an average temperature of 9 ± 1°C, and 1 atm. pressure. Tentative values for the Gibbs free energies of formation of hydroxy-Green Rusts obtained are: Δ_fG° (Fe₃(OH)₇, cr, 282.15 K) = −1799.7 ± 6 kJ mol⁻¹, Δ_fG° (Fe₂(OH)₅, cr, 282.15 K) = −1244.1 ± 6 kJ mol⁻¹ and Δ_fG° (Fe₃(OH)₈, cr, 282.15 K) = −1944.3 ± 6 kJ mol⁻¹.     

Magnetic properties and neutron diffraction study of two manganese sulfosalts: monoclinic MnSb<Subscript>2</Subscript>S<Subscript>4</Subscript> and benavidesite (MnPb<Subscript>4</Subscript>Sb<Subscript>6</Subscript>S<Subscript>14</Subscript>)

Mn²⁺Sb₂S₄, a monoclinic dimorph of clerite, and benavidesite (Mn²⁺Pb₄Sb₆S₁₄) show well-individualized single chains of manganese atoms in octahedral coordination. Their magnetic structures are presented and compared with those of iron derivatives, berthierite (Fe²⁺Sb₂S₄) and jamesonite (Fe²⁺Pb₄Sb₆S₁₄). Within chains, interactions are antiferromagnetic. Like berthierite, MnSb₂S₄ shows a spiral magnetic structure with an incommensurate 1D propagation vector [0, 0.369, 0], unchanged with temperature. In berthierite, the interactions between identical chains are antiferromagnetic, whereas in MnSb₂S₄ interactions between chains are ferromagnetic along c-axis. Below 6 K, jamesonite and benavidesite have commensurate magnetic structures with the same propagation vector [0.5, 0, 0]: jamesonite is a canted ferromagnet and iron magnetic moments are mainly oriented along the a-axis, whereas for benavidesite, no angle of canting is detected, and manganese magnetic moments are oriented along b-axis. Below 30 K, for both compounds, one-dimensional magnetic ordering or correlations are visible in the neutron diagrams and persist down to 1.4 K.     

The crystal and magnetic structure of Li-aegirine LiFe3+Si2O6: a temperature-dependent study

Single crystals of Li-aegirine LiFe³⁺Si₂O₆ were synthesized at 1573?K and 3?GPa, and a polycrystalline sample suitable for neutron diffraction was produced by ceramic sintering at 1223?K. LiFe³⁺Si₂O₆ is monoclinic, space group C2/c, a=9.6641(2)?Å, b= 8.6612(3)?Å, c=5.2924(2)?Å, β=110.12(1)^° at 300?K as refined from powder neutron data. At 229?K Li-aegirine undergoes a phase transition from C2/c to P2₁ /c. This is indicated by strong discontinuities in the temperature variation of the lattice parameters, especially for the monoclinic angle β and by the appearance of Bragg reflections (hkl) with h+k≠2n. In the low-temperature form two non-equivalent Si-sites with 〈SiA–O〉=1.622?Å and 〈SiB–O〉=1.624?Å at 100?K are present. The bridging angles of the SiO₄ tetrahedra O3–O3–O3 are 192.55(8)° and 160.02(9)° at 100?K in the two independent tetrahedral chains in space group P2₁ /c, whereas it is 180.83(9)° at 300?K in the high-temperature C2/c phase, i.e. the chains are nearly fully expanded. Upon the phase transition the Li-coordination changes from six to five. At 100?K four Li–O bond lengths lie within 2.072(4)–2.172(3)?Å, the fifth Li–O bond length is 2.356(4)?Å, whereas the Li–O3?A bond lengths amount to 2.796(4)?Å. From ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopic measurements between 80 and 500?K the structural phase transition is characterized by a small discontinuity of the quadrupole splitting. Temperature-dependent neutron powder diffraction experiments show first occurrence of magnetic reflections at 16.5?K in good agreement with the point of inflection in the temperature-dependent magnetization of LiFe³⁺Si₂O₆. Distinct preordering phenomena can be observed up to 35?K. At the magnetic phase transition the unit cell parameters exhibit a pronounced magneto-striction of the lattice. Below T _N Li-aegirine shows a collinear antiferromagnetic structure. From our neutron powder diffraction experiments we extract a collinear antiferromagnetic spin arrangement within the a–c plane.     

Li-bearing, disordered Mg-rich tourmaline from a pegmatite-marble contact in the Austroalpine basement units (Styria, Austria)

Pale-blue to pale-green tourmalines from the contact zone of Permian pegmatites to mica schists and marbles from different localities of the Austroalpine basement units (Rappold Complex) in Styria, Austria, are characterized. All these Mg-rich tourmalines have small but significant Li contents, up to 0.29 wt% Li₂O, and can be characterized as dravite, with FeO contents of ?~?0.9–2.7 wt%. Their chemical composition varies from ^X (Na_0.67Ca_0.19?K_0.02?_0.12) ^Y (Mg_1.26Al_0.97Fe²⁺ _0.36Li_0.19Ti⁴⁺ _0.06Zn_0.01?_0.15) ^Z (Al_5.31?Mg_0.69) (BO₃)₃ Si₆O₁₈ ^V (OH)₃? ^W [F_0.66(OH)_0.34], with a?=?15.9220(3), c?=?7.1732(2) Å to ^X (Na_0.67Ca_0.24?K_0.02?_0.07) ^Y (Mg_1.83Al_0.88Fe²⁺ _0.20Li_0.08Zn_0.01Ti⁴⁺ _0.01?_0.09) ^Z (Al_5.25?Mg_0.75) (BO₃)₃ Si₆O₁₈ ^V (OH)₃? ^W [F_0.87(OH)_0.13], with a?=?15.9354(4), c?=?7.1934(4) Å, and they show a significant Al-Mg disorder between the Y and the Z sites (R1?=?0.013–0.015). There is a positive correlation between the Ca content and?<?Y-O?>?distance for all investigated tourmalines (r?≈?1.00), which may reflect short-range order configurations including Ca and Fe²⁺, Mg, and Li. The tourmalines have X_Mg (X_Mg?=?Mg/Mg?+?Fe_total) values in the range 0.84–0.95. The REE patterns show more or less pronounced negative Eu and positive Yb anomalies. In comparison to tourmalines from highly-evolved pegmatites, the tourmaline samples from the border zone of the pegmatites of the Rappold Complex contain relatively low amounts of total REE (~8–36 ppm) and Th (0.1–1.8 ppm) and have low La_N/Yb_N ratios. There is a positive correlation (r?≈?0.91) between MgO of the tourmalines and the MgO contents of the surrounding mica schists. We conclude that the pegmatites formed by anatectic melting of mica schists and paragneisses in Permian time. The tourmalines crystallized from the pegmatitic melt, influenced by the metacarbonate and metapelitic host rocks.     

Mössbauer,electrokinetic and refined lattice parameters study of synthetic manganoan lipscombite

Manganoan lipscombite (Fe _x ^/2+ , M _y ^/2+ ) Fe _3?(x ^+y)/3+ [OH)_3?(x+y)(PO₄)₂] was synthesized from pure chemicals. From the study of the Mn²⁺/Fe²⁺ atomic ratio by Mössbauer spectra, solubility, and electrokinetic properties, it was found that the crystal structure of lipscombite is not changed substantially by the manganese substitution. The unit cell parameters were determined from Guinier-Hägg X-ray diffraction patterns, which are identical for both synthetic ferrous-ferric and manganoan lipscombite. The two compounds crystallize in the tetragonal system with a=5.3020±0.0005 Å and c=12.8800±0.0005 Å.