Lithiophilite

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Lithiophilite
Specific gravity
3.445–3.50
Optical propertiesBiaxial (+), 2V = 65°
Refractive indexnα=1.669, nβ=1.673, nγ=1.682
Birefringenceδ =0.0130
PleochroismNone 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

Bibliography

  • 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.

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