Crystal chemistry, thermal expansion, and Raman spectra of hydroxyl-clinohumite: implications for water in Earth’s interior

Abstract

Two samples of hydroxyl-clinohumite, sample SZ0407B with approximate composition Mg8.674(14)Fe0.374(4)(Si0.99(1)O4)4(OH)2 and sample SZ0411B with composition Mg9(SiO4)4(OH)2, were synthesized at 12 GPa and 1,250 °C coexisting with olivine. Unit-cell parameters determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction are given as follows: a = 4.7525(4) A, b = 10.2935(12) A, c = 13.7077(10) A, α = 100.645(9)°, V = 659.04(9) A3 for SZ0407B, and a = 4.7518(6) A, b = 10.2861(12) A, c = 13.7008(9) A, α = 100.638(9)°, V = 658.15(9) A3 for SZ0411B. Single-crystal X-ray intensity data were collected for crystal structure refinements of both samples. Relative to the pure-Mg sample, Fe decreases M3–OH bond lengths by ~0.010(3) A, consistent with some ferric iron ordering into M3. Raman spectroscopy shows two strong bands in the lattice-mode region at 650 and 690 cm−1 in the Fe-bearing sample, which are not observed in the pure-Mg sample. Spectra in the H2O region show at least five bands, which are deconvolved into seven distinct O–H-stretching modes. Thermal expansion measurements were carried out for both samples from 153 to 787 K by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The average a-, b-, c-axial and volumetric thermal expansion coefficients (10−6 K−1) are 10.5(1), 12.3(2), 12.5(2) and 34.9(5) for SZ0407B, respectively, and 11.1(1), 12.6(3), 13.7(3), 36.8(6) for SZ0411B, respectively. After heating, the unit-cell parameters were refined again for each sample at ambient condition, and no significant changes were observed, indicating no significant oxidation or dehydration during the experiment. For the DHMS phases along the brucite–forsterite join, linear regression gives a systematic linear decrease in expansivity with increasing density. Further, substitution of ferrous iron into these structures decreases thermal expansivity, making the Fe-bearing varieties slightly stiffer.