A Modulation Wave Approach to the Structural Characterization of Three New Cristobalite-Related Sodium Magnesiosilicates

Abstract

The crystal structures of three new cristobalite-related sodium magnesiosilicates [Na2MgSiO4, M r = 162.37, orthorhombic, Pna21, a = 10.835 (5), b = 5.279 (12), c = 7.067 (8) Å, D x = 2.668 g cm−3, Z = 4, Cu Kα, λ = 1.5418 Å, μ = 75.96 cm−l, F(000) = 319.87; Na1.74Mg0.79Al0.15Si1.06O4, M r = 157.02, orthorhombic, Pbca, a = 10.487 (7), b = 14.351 (4), c = 5.243 (6) Å, D x = 2.643 g cm−3, Z = 8, Cu Kα, λ = 1.5418 Å, μ = 76.70 cm−l, F(000) = 619.04; Na1.8Mg0.9Si1.1O4, M r = 158.15, tetragonal, P41212, a = 5.330 (6), c = 7.086 (5) Å, D x = 2.609 g cm−3, Z = 2, Cu Kα, λ= 1.5418 Å, μ = 75.44 cm−l, F(000) = 155.94] are determined by Rietveld refinement from X-ray powder diffraction data. Plausible starting models were derived from a modulation wave approach based on the ideal C9 structure type and assuming regular SiO4 and MgO4 tetrahedra.