Fluorapatite
Fluorapatite | ||
---|---|---|
Specific gravity 3.1 to 3.2 | | |
Optical properties | Uniaxial (−) | |
Refractive index | nω = 1.631 – 1.650 nε = 1.633 – 1.646 | |
Birefringence | δ = 0.002 | |
Ultraviolet fluorescence | Fluorescent and phosphorescent | |
References | [2][3][4] |
Fluorapatite, often with the alternate spelling of fluoroapatite, is a
Fluorapatite crystallizes in a hexagonal crystal system. It is often combined as a
Fluorapatite as a mineral is the most common phosphate mineral. It occurs widely as an accessory mineral in
Fluorapatite is found in the teeth of
Synthesis
Fluorapatite can be synthesized in a three step process. First, calcium phosphate is generated by combining calcium and phosphate salts at neutral pH. This material then reacts further with fluoride sources (often sodium monofluorophosphate or calcium fluoride (CaF2)) to give the mineral. This reaction is integral in the global phosphorus cycle.[8]
- 3 Ca2+
+ 2 PO3−
4 → Ca
3(PO
4)
2
- 3 Ca
3(PO
4)
2 + CaF
2 → 2 Ca
5(PO
4)
3F
Applications
Fluorapatite as a naturally occurring impurity in apatite generates hydrogen fluoride as a byproduct during the production of phosphoric acid, as apatite is digested by sulfuric acid. The hydrogen fluoride byproduct is now one of the industrial sources of hydrofluoric acid, which in turn is used as a starting reagent for synthesis of a range of important industrial and pharmaceutical fluorine compounds.
Synthetic fluorapatite doped with
- 6 CaHPO
4 + (3+x) CaCO
3 + (1−x) CaF
2 + (2x) NH
4Cl → 2 Ca
5(PO
4)
3(F
1−xCl
x) + (3+x) CO
2 + (3+x) H
2O + (2x) NH
3
Sometimes some of the calcium was substituted with strontium giving narrower emission peaks. For special purpose or colored tubes the halophosphor was mixed with small quantities of other phosphors, particularly in De-Luxe tubes with higher color rendering index for use in food market or art studio lighting.
Prior to the development of halophosphor in 1942, the first generation willemite latticed, manganese-II activated zinc orthosilicate and zinc beryllium orthosilicate phosphors were used in fluorescent tubes. Due to the respiratory toxicity of beryllium compounds the obsolescence of these early phosphor types were advantageous to health.
Since about 1990 the third generation tri-phosphors, three separate red, blue and green phosphors activated with rare earth ions and mixed in proportions to produce acceptable whites, have largely replaced halophosphors.[9]
Fluorapatite can be used as a precursor for the production of phosphorus. It can be reduced by carbon in the presence of quartz:
- 4 Ca
5(PO
4)
3F + 21 SiO
2 + 30 C → 20 CaSiO
3 + 30 CO + SiF
4 + 6 P
2
Upon cooling,
- 2 P
2 → P
4
Fluorapatite is also used as a gemstone.[10]
References
- S2CID 235729616.
- ^ a b "Fluorapatite" Archived 2012-02-08 at the Wayback Machine. Handbook of Mineralogy.
- ^ Apatite-(CaF) Mineral Data Archived 2016-10-30 at the Wayback Machine. webmineral.com.
- ^ "Fluorapatite". mindat.org. Archived from the original on 2018-03-08. Retrieved 2013-11-17.
- ^ ISBN 0-471-31266-5
- ^ "How does fluoride protect my teeth and make them strong?". UCSB Science Line. Regents of the University of California. Archived from the original on 27 October 2017. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
- ^ Trushkowsky, Richard. "The science of caries diagnosis" Archived 2016-07-01 at the Wayback Machine. Dentistry IQ.
- ISBN 0-12-352651-5.
- ISBN 0-7131-3267-1
- ^ Gemstones of the World By Walter Schumann, p. 18, 23, 29, 34, 56, 83