Publication Type:

Journal Article

Source:

Canadian Mineralogist, Mineralogical Association of Canada, Volume 53, Number 1, p.159-168 (2015)

ISBN:

00084476

Keywords:

Chalcogenides, Copper compounds, crystal structure, Ionic conduction, Ionic conductivity, Metal ions, Ore sinter, Probability density function, Silver compounds, Tellurium compounds, Twinning

Abstract:

The crystal structure of the mineral kurilite, a rare silver chalcogenide, was solved using intensity data collected from a twinned crystal of type material from the Prasolovskoe deposit, Kunashir Island, Kuril islands (Russia). The study revealed - that the structure is trigonal, space group R3, with cell parameters: a 15.8135(18), c 19.618(3) A, and V 4248.6(9) A3. The refinement had a final Rindex of 0.0218 for 2513 observed reflections [I 2(I)] and 0.0265 for all 2776 independent reflections and 193 parameters. Three Te sites, three Se sites, and ten Ag sites occur in the crystal structure of kurilite. The silver cations form various crystal-chemical environments, as is typical of many intermetallic compounds. The Ag positions correspond to the most pronounced probability density function (pdf) locations (modes) of diffusion-like paths. The d10silver ion distribution was determined by means of a Gram-Charlier development of the atomic displacement factors. Crystal-chemical features are discussed in relation to other copper and silver tellurides and pure metals. The disorder observed for the Ag atoms is compared to that of other natural fast ionic conductors, such as the pearceite-polybasite group minerals. On the basis of information gained from the structural characterization, the Z of the crystal-chemical formula was revised to 18 instead of 15, as previously reported.

Notes:

Compilation and indexing terms, Copyright 2018 Elsevier Inc.<br/>20153701269043<br/>Fast ionic conductors<br/>Kuril Island<br/>Kurilite<br/>Pearceite-polybasite<br/>Prasolovskoe