Lithiophilite
Lithiophilite | ||
---|---|---|
Specific gravity 3.445–3.50 | | |
Optical properties | Biaxial (+), 2V = 65° | |
Refractive index | nα=1.669, nβ=1.673, nγ=1.682 | |
Birefringence | δ =0.0130 | |
Pleochroism | None to weak | |
References | [2][3][4] |
Lithiophilite is a mineral containing the element
pegmatites often associated with triphylite, the iron end member in a solid solution series. The mineral with intermediate composition is known as sicklerite and has the chemical formula Li(Mn,Fe)PO4). The name lithiophilite is derived from the Greek philos (φιλός) "friend", as lithiophilite is usually found with lithium.[3]
Lithiophylite is a resinous reddish to yellowish brown mineral crystallizing in the
orthorhombic system often as slender prisms. It is usually associated with lepidolite, beryl, quartz, albite, amblygonite, and spodumene of pegmatitic origin. It rather readily weathers to a variety of secondary manganese phosphates and oxides. It is a late-stage mineral in some complex granite pegmatites.[4]
Members of the triphylite-lithiophilite series readily alter to secondary minerals.
The
Branchville, Fairfield County, Connecticut where it was first reported in 1878.[3] The largest documented single crystal of lithiophilite was found in New Hampshire, US, measured 2.44×1.83×1.22 m3 and weighed about 20 tonnes.[5]
The synthetic form of triphylite,
lithium-ion batteries
.
References
- S2CID 235729616.
- ^ Lithiophilite at WebMineral
- ^ a b c Lithiophilite at Mindat.org
- ^ a b Lithiophilite in Handbook of Mineralogy
- ^ P. C. Rickwood (1981). "The largest crystals" (PDF). American Mineralogist. 66: 885–907.
Bibliography
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lithiophilite.
- Palache, P.; Berman H.; Frondel, C. (1960). "Dana's System of Mineralogy, Volume II: Halides, Nitrates, Borates, Carbonates, Sulfates, Phosphates, Arsenates, Tungstates, Molybdates, Etc. (Seventh Edition)" John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, pp. 665–669.