Lomonosovite

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

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

Discovery and name

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

Crystal structure

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 (space group P), but acentric varieties (polytype) are also reported.

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 anions.

Properties

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 = 1.654–1.670 β = 1.736 – 1.750 γ = 1.764–1.778 2V=56–69.

Hardness 3–4 Density 3.12 – 3.15.

Origin

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

References