From structure topology to chemical composition. XXIII. Revision of the crystal structure and chemical formula of zvyaginite, Na2ZnTiNb2(Si2O7)2O2(OH)2(H2O)4, a seidozerite-supergroup mineral from the Lovozero alkaline massif, Kola peninsula, Russia

Abstract

AbstractThe crystal structure and chemical formula of zvyaginite, ideally Na2ZnTiNb2(Si2O7)2O2(OH)2(H2O)4, a lamprophyllite-group mineral of the seidozerite supergroup from the type locality, Mt. Malyi Punkaruaiv, Lovozero alkaline massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia have been revised. The crystal structurewas refined with a new origin in space group C1, a = 10.769(2), b = 14.276(3), c = 12.101(2) Å, α = 105.45(3), β = 95.17(3), γ = 90.04(3)°, V = 1785.3(3.2) Å3, R1 = 9.23%. The electron-microprobe analysis gave the following empirical formula [calculated on 22 (O + F)]: (Na0.75Ca0.09K0.04□1.12)Σ2 (Na1.12Zn0.88Mn0.17Fe2+0.04□0.79)Σ3(Nb1.68Ti1.25Al0.07)Σ3 (Si4.03O14)O2[(OH)1.11F0.89]Σ2(H2O)4, Z = 4. Electron-diffraction patterns have prominent streaking along c* and HRTEM images show an intergrowth of crystalline zvyaginite with two distinct phases, both of which are partially amorphous. The crystal structure of zvyaginite is an array of TS (Titanium-Silicate) blocks connected via hydrogen bonds between H2O groups. The TS block consists of HOH sheets (H = heteropolyhedral, O = octahedral) parallel to (001). In the O sheet, the [6]MO(1,4,5) sites are occupied mainly by Ti, Zn and Na and the[6]MO(2,3) sites are occupied by Na at less than 50%. In the H sheet, the[6]MH(1,2) sites are occupied mainly by Nb and the[8]AP(1) and[8]AP(2) sites are occupied mainly by Na and □. The MH and AP polyhedra and Si2O7groups constitute the H sheet. The ideal structural formula is Na□Nb2NaZn□Ti(Si2O7)2O2(OH)2(H2O)4. Zvyaginite is a Zn-bearing and Na-poor analogue of epistolite, ideally (Na□)Nb2Na3Ti(Si2O7)2O2(OH)2(H2O)4. Epistolite and zvyaginite are related by the following substitution in the O sheet of the TS-block: (Naþ 2 )epi↔Zn2+zvy +□zvy. The doubling of the t1 and t2 translations of zvyaginite relative to those of epistolite is due to the order of Zn and Na along a (t1) and b (t2) in the O sheet of zvyaginite.