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Neighborite

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Neighborite
General
CategoryHalide
Formula
(repeating unit)
NaMgF3
IMA symbolNbo[1]
Strunz classification3/C.03-70
Crystal systemOrthorhombic
Crystal classmmm(2/m 2/m 2/m)
Space groupPcmn
Unit cella = 5.363 Å, b = 7.676 Å
c = 5.503 Å; Z = 4
Identification
ColorColorless, mahogany, brown
Crystal habitSubangular rounds or octahedra
TwinningInterpenatration
FractureUneven
Mohs scale hardness4.5
LusterVitreous
DiaphaneityTransparent to opaque
Specific gravity3.03
Density3.03 g/cm3 Measured; 3.06 g/cm3 Calculated
Optical propertiesAnisotropic
Refractive index1.364±0.002
Birefringenceδ=0.003
Dispersionr < v weak
References[2][3][4]

Neighborite is a mineral composed of a double fluoride salt of sodium and magnesium. It was initially recognized as pink and brown masses of round grains in the Green River Formation South of Ouray, Utah. Originally found in dark dolomitic oil shales, neighborite typically forms as subrounded or octahedral crystals. Neighborite received its name from Frank Neighbor, a geologist for the Sun Oil Co. based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Due to Mr. Neighbor's work in discovering neighborite, along with other newly discovered minerals to the Green River Formation, the mineral was named after him. Neighborite is in the family of perovskite crystal structure minerals, possessing a general formula of ABX3.[2]

Occurrence

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Neighborite is found in association with minerals such as burbankite, nahcolite, wurtzite, barytocalcite, garrelsite, pyrite, calcite, and quartz. The mineral most commonly occurs on top of dark colored dolomitic oil shales. The resulting grains are subrounded in shape. Some neighborite crystals form as inclusions in barytocalcite. Octahedral crystals of neighborite exist in nature, but is generally uncommon relative to the subangular crystals. Neighborite is a rare mineral, only being found in select localities around the world. Regions where neighborite is currently found include select wells in or near Ouray, Utah; Montreal, Quebec; Oslo, Norway; Murmansk Oblast, Russia; Arusha, Tanzania.[3]

Physical properties

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Neighborite is a colorless or pink to brown colored mineral exhibiting a vitreous luster. It exhibits a hardness of 4.5 on the Mohs hardness scale. It does not portray any specific cleavage planes, but instead exhibits an uneven fracture. Neighborite is insoluble in distilled water, but dissolves at a quicker rate with increased acidic conditions.[2]

Optical properties

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Neighborite is an anisotropic mineral, meaning it has more than one refractive index. However, the birefringence of the mineral is rather low, at 0.003. The measured refractive indexes are 1.364±0.002. The octahedral {111} crystals of neighborite occasionally exhibit twinning. {100} cubic faces also exist as truncations.[2]

Chemical properties

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Neighborite belongs to the perovskite family of minerals. These minerals have a general formula of ABX3. The structure consists of B atoms in an octahedron, with A and X atoms forming the cubic and octahedral cells of the structure, respectively.[2] Perovskites are most notably used as solar cells, achieving a general efficiency of around 25%.[4]

Chemical composition

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Element wt%
Na 22.05
Mg 23.31
F 54.64
Total 100.00

[2]

X-ray crystallography

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Neighborite is an orthorhombic mineral, containing the space group Pcmn. The unit cell dimensions are a=5.363 Å, b=7.676 Å, c=5.503 Å, α=90.00°, β=90.00°, γ=90.00°. The dimensions of neighborite are extremely similar to those of a basic perovskite structure. It is therefore considered part of the perovskite supergroup of minerals. As higher temperatures are achieved, the three axes lengths of neighborite get closer together. At 900°C, the axes lengths are equal, giving neighborite a cubic cell. However, this cubic structure cannot be quenched, and can only exist at the high temperature range.[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Chao, E. C. T., et al. "Neighborite, NaMgF3, a new mineral from the green river formation, South Ouray, Utah." American Mineralogist: Journal of Earth and Planetary Materials 46.3-4_Part_1 (1961): 379-393.
  3. ^ a b Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, Neighborite. mindat.org. (n.d.). Retrieved December 7, 2021, from https://www.mindat.org/min-2871.html.
  4. ^ a b Perovskite Solar Cells. Energy.gov. (n.d.). Retrieved December 7, 2021, from https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/perovskite-solar-cells.