Palygorskite Mineral Data

Palygorskite Mineral Data +

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General Palygorskite Information

Chemical Formula:

(Mg,Al)2Si4O10(OH)·4(H2O)

Composition:

Molecular Weight = 411.35 gm

Magnesium 8.86 % Mg 14.70 % MgO

Aluminum 3.28 % Al 6.20 % Al₂O₃

Silicon 27.31 % Si 58.43 % SiO₂

Hydrogen 2.21 % H 19.71 % H₂O

Oxygen 58.34 % O

______ ______

100.00 % 99.03 % = TOTAL OXIDE

Empirical Formula:

Mg_1.5Al_0.5Si₄O₁₀(OH)·4(H₂O)

IMA Status:

Valid Species (Pre-IMA) 1862

Locality:

Link to MinDat.org Location Data.

Name Origin:

Named after a deposit in the Ural Mountains, Russia.

Synonym:

Attapulgite

Palygorskite Image

Images:

Palygorskite

Comments: Compact massive palygorskite.
Location: Senton, Devon, England. Scale: See Photo.
© Jeff Weissman / Photographic Guide to Mineral Species

Palygorskite Crystallography

Axial Ratios:

a:b:c =0.6892:1:0.2929

Cell Dimensions:

a = 12.33, b = 17.89, c = 5.24, Z = 4; beta = 105.2° V = 1,115.42 Den(Calc)= 2.45

Crystal System:

Monoclinic - PrismaticH-M Symbol (2/m) Space Group: C 2/m

$Help on X Ray Diffraction:$ X Ray Diffraction:

By Intensity(I/I_o): 3.23(1), 10.5(1), 4.49(0.8),

Crystal Structure:

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Chiari G , Giustetto R , Ricchiardi G , European Journal of Mineralogy , 15 (2003) p.21-33, Crystal structure refinements of palygorskite and Maya Blue from molecular, modeling and powder synchrotron diffraction, Sample: MP

View Additional jPOWD Structure files for Palygorskite
[1] [2] [3]

Physical Properties of Palygorskite

Cleavage:

[110] Good

Color:

White, Gray, Brownish white.

Density:

2.1 - 2.2, Average = 2.15

Diaphaniety:

Translucent

Fracture:

Uneven - Flat surfaces (not cleavage) fractured in an uneven pattern.

Habit:

Earthy - Dull, clay-like texture with no visible crystalline affinities, (e.g. howlite).

Habit:

Massive - Fibrous - Distinctly fibrous fine-grained forms.

Hardness:

2-2.5 - Gypsum-Finger Nail

Luster:

Earthy (Dull)

Streak:

white

Optical Properties of Palygorskite

Optical Data:

NCalc= 1.57 - from Gladstone-Dale relationship (KC = 0.2308) where Ncalc=Dcalc*KC+1
NCalc= 1.5 - from Gladstone-Dale relationship (KC = 0.2308) where Ncalc=Dmeas*KC+1

Calculated Properties of Palygorskite

Electron Density:

r_electron=2.50 gm/cc
note: r_Palygorskite=2.45 gm/cc.

Fermion Index

Fermion Index = 0.0219
Boson Index = 0.9781

Photoelectric:

PE_Palygorskite= 1.39 barns/electron
U=PE_Palygorskite x r_electron= 3.48 barns/cc.

Radioactivity:

GRapi = 0 (Gamma Ray American Petroleum Institute Units)

Palygorskite is Not Radioactive

Palygorskite Classification

Dana Class:

74.3.1a.1 (74)Phyllosilicate Modulated Layers

(74.3)with joined strips

(74.3.1a)Palygorskite-sepiolite group (Palygorskite subgroup)

74.3.1a.1 Palygorskite (Mg,Al)2Si4O10(OH)·4(H2O) C 2/m 2/m

74.3.1a.2 Tuperssuatsiaite Na(Fe,Mn)3[Si8O20](OH)2·n(H2O) C 2/m Mono

74.3.1a.3 Yofortierite (Mn,Mg)5Si8O20(OH)2·8-9(H2O) Pn(?) m

74.3.1a.4 Kalifersite! (K,Na)5Fe7Si20O50(OH)6·12(H2O) P1 1

Strunz Class:

VIII/H.33-20 VIII - Silicates

VIII/H - Phyllosilicates (layered) Mica minerals with other simple layers, [Si6O15]6- and others

VIII/H.33 - Tuperssuatsiaite - Loughlinite series

VIII/H.33-10 Tuperssuatsiaite Na(Fe,Mn)3[Si8O20](OH)2·n(H2O) C 2/m Mono

VIII/H.33-20 Palygorskite (Mg,Al)2Si4O10(OH)·4(H2O) C 2/m 2/m

VIII/H.33-30 Yofortierite (Mn,Mg)5Si8O20(OH)2·8-9(H2O) Pn(?) m

VIII/H.33-40 Sepiolite Mg4Si6O15(OH)2·6(H2O) Pnan 2/m 2/m 2/m

VIII/H.33-50 Falcondoite (Ni,Mg)4Si6O15(OH)2·6(H2O) Pncn 2/m 2/m 2/m

VIII/H.33-60 Loughlinite Na2Mg3Si6O16·8(H2O) Unk Ortho

VIII/H.33-80 Intersilite! Na6MnTi[Si10O24(OH)](OH)3·4(H2O) I2/m 2/m

VIII/H.33-90 Kalifersite! (K,Na)5Fe7Si20O50(OH)6·12(H2O) P1 1

Other Palygorskite Information

References:

NAME( Duda&Rejl90) PHYS. PROP.(Enc. of Minerals,2nd ed.,1990)

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Palygorskite

(Mg,Al)2Si4O10(OH)·4(H2O)
Dana No: 74.3.1a.1 Strunz No: VIII/H.33-20
Locality:

Notes: