Zincalstibite-9R: the first nine-layer polytype with the layered double hydroxide structure-type

Abstract

Zincalstibite-9R, a new polytype in the hydrotalcite supergroup is reported from the Monte Avanza mine, Italy. It occurs as pale blue curved disc-like tablets flattened on {001} intergrown to form rosettes typically less than 50 μm in diameter, with cyanophyllite and linarite in cavities in baryte. Zincalstibite-9R is uniaxial (−), with refractive indices ω = 1.647(2) and ε = 1.626(2) measured in white light. The empirical formula (based on 12 OH groups) is (Zn^(2+)_(1.09)Cu^(2+)_(0.87)Al_(0.04))_(Σ2.00)Al_(1.01) (Sb^(5+)_(0.97)Si_(0.02))Σ_(0.99)(OH)_(12), and the ideal formula is (Zn,Cu)_2Al(OH)_6[Sb(OH)_6]. Zincalstibite-9R crystallizes in space group R3İ, with ɑ = 5.340(2), c = 88.01(2) Å, V = 2173.70(15) Å^3 and Z = 9. The crystal structure was refined to R_1 = 0.0931 for 370 unique reflections [F_o > 4σ(F)] and R_1 = 0.0944 for all 381 unique reflections. It has the longest periodic layer stacking sequence for a layered double hydroxide compound reported to date.

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