silicate

silicate,

chemical compound containing silicon, oxygen, and one or more metals, e.g., aluminum, barium, beryllium, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, sodium, or zirconium. Silicates may be considered chemically as salts of the various silicic acids. For a long time classified as ortho-, meta-, di-, or trisilicates according to the acid from which they are (theoretically) derived, they are now also classified by an X-ray diffraction method according to their crystalline structure. Silicates are widely distributed in nature, making up most of the earth's outer crust and mantle; bridgmanite, the most common mineral on earth, comprising 70% of the lower mantle, is high-density magnesium iron silicate. Most of the common rock-forming minerals (e.g., quartzquartz,
one of the commonest of all rock-forming minerals and one of the most important constituents of the earth's crust. Chemically, it is silicon dioxide, SiO₂.
..... Click the link for more information. , feldsparfeldspar
or felspar
, an abundant group of rock-forming minerals which constitute 60% of the earth's crust. Chemically the feldspars are silicates of aluminum, containing sodium, potassium, iron, calcium, or barium or combinations of these elements.
..... Click the link for more information. , micamica
, general term for a large group of minerals, hydrous silicates of aluminum and potassium, often containing magnesium, ferrous iron, ferric iron, sodium, and lithium and more rarely containing barium, chromium, and fluorine.
..... Click the link for more information. , and pyroxenepyroxene
, name given to members of a group of widely distributed rock minerals called metasilicates in which magnesium, iron, and calcium, often with aluminum, sodium, lithium, manganese, or zinc occur as X in the chemical formula XSiO₃.
..... Click the link for more information. ) are silicates, as are asbestosasbestos,
common name for any of a variety of silicate minerals within the amphibole and serpentine groups that are fibrous in structure and more or less resistant to acid and fire.
..... Click the link for more information. , berylberyl
, mineral, a silicate of beryllium and aluminum, Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈, extremely hard, occurring in hexagonal crystals that may be of enormous size and are usually white, yellow, green, blue, or colorless.
..... Click the link for more information. , aquamarineaquamarine
[Lat.,=seawater], transparent beryl with a blue or bluish-green color. Sources of the gems include Brazil, Siberia, the Union of Myanmar, Madagascar, and parts of the United States. Oriental aquamarine is a transparent crystalline corundum with a bluish tinge.
..... Click the link for more information. , emeraldemerald,
the green variety of beryl, of which aquamarine is the blue variety. Chemically, it is a beryllium-aluminum silicate whose color is due to small quantities of chromium compounds.
..... Click the link for more information. , serpentineserpentine
, hydrous silicate of magnesium. It occurs in crystalline form only as a pseudomorph having the form of some other mineral and is generally found in the form of chrysotile (silky fibers) and antigorite and lizardite (which are both tabular).
..... Click the link for more information. , and talctalc,
mineral ranging in color from white through various shades of gray and green to the red and brown of impure specimens, translucent to opaque, and having a greasy, soapy feel.
..... Click the link for more information. . Clayclay,
common name for a number of fine-grained, earthy materials that become plastic when wet. Chemically, clays are hydrous aluminum silicates, ordinarily containing impurities, e.g., potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, or iron, in small amounts.
..... Click the link for more information. consists essentially of hydrous aluminum silicates mixed with other substances. Glassglass,
hard substance, usually brittle and transparent, composed chiefly of silicates and an alkali fused at high temperature. Composition and Properties of Glass
..... Click the link for more information. is a mixture of silicates, as is water glasswater glass
or soluble glass,
colorless, transparent, glasslike substance available commercially as a powder or as a transparent, viscous solution in water. Chemically it is sodium silicate, potassium silicate, or a mixture of these.
..... Click the link for more information. . See sodium silicatesodium silicate,
any one of several compounds containing sodium oxide, Na₂O, and silica, Si₂O, or a mixture of sodium silicates. Sodium orthosilicate is Na₄SiO₄ (or 2Na₂O·SiO₂); sodium meta
..... Click the link for more information. .

Silicate

any of a class of naturally occurring and extremely widespread minerals; any of the naturally occurring chemical compounds with a complex silicon-oxygen radical. Silicates constitute more than 75 percent of the earth’s crust (with quartz, approximately 87 percent) and more than 95 percent of all igneous rocks. The class includes approximately 500 mineral species, among them such important rock-forming minerals as feldspars, pyroxenes, amphiboles, and micas.

Modem classification of silicates. Classification is based on crystallochemical data, which synthesize the results of chemical andX -ray diffraction studies of the structure of silicate minerals.

The basic structural unit of all silicates is the tetrahedral silicon-oxygen radical [SiO₄]^4-. An important characteristic of silicates is the ability of two or more silicon-oxygen tetrahedrons to combine (polymerization) by means of a common oxygen atom. The nature of this combination becomes a factor in the classification of silicates. In addition, the classification takes into account the composition of radicals (Si, Al, B, Be, Ti, Zr, U), the composition of cations (K, Na, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Al), the presence and character in silicate composition of water or hy-droxyl groups, and the presence of accessory anion groups.

In cases where other tetrahedral radicals fulfill the same role as [SiO₄]^4- tetrahedrons in the structure of silicates, the minerals are referred to as aluminosilicates, borosilicates, and beryllo-silicates, as well as heterogeneous titano- and zirconosilicates in which the tetrahedrons are arranged as frameworks or sheets. In silicate nomenclature, the structural designations associated with the type of combination of silicon-oxygen tetrahedrons are sometimes given supplementary names; these names are derived from a theory that regarded silicates as salts of silicic acid. Orthosilicates, for example, are regarded as salts of orthosilicic acid, and metasilicates as salts of metasilicic acid.

Structure. The five classes of silicates, which are differentiated according to the way in which the silicon-oxygen tetrahedrons are combined, are nesosilicates, cyclosilicates, inosili-cates, phyllosilicates, and tectosilicates.

Nesosilicates include orthosilicates and diorthosilicates. In orthosilicates, tetrahedrons are isolated and are bound to each other through interstitial cations (Figure 1,a). In diorthosilicates, [Si₂O₇]^6-, the tetrahedrons occur in pairs. A diorthosili-cate is formed from the combination of two silicon-oxygen tetrahedrons (Figure l,b).

The orthosilicates include the olivine, (MgFe)₂[SiO₄], zircon, Zr[SiO₄], garnet, and phenacite, Be₂[SiO₄] (without water and accessory anions) groups, as well as the topaz, Al₂[SiO₄]F₂, andalusite, Al₂[SiO₄]O, and titanite, CaTi[SiO₄]O (with accessory anions F^-, O², OH^-) groups. The diorthosilicates include the bertrandite, Be₄[Si₂O₇](OH)₂, and ilvaite, CaFe₃-[Si₂O₇]O(OH), groups. Examples of orthodiorthosilicates are the vesuvian, Ca₁₉Mg₃Al_l0[Si₂O₇]₄ · [SiO₄],_OO₂(OH)₆, and epi-dote, Ca, Ce, Fe³⁺, Fe²⁺, Al₂[Si₂O₇]·[SiO₄]O·(OH), groups.

Figure 1. Principal types of arrangement of silicon-oxygen radicals: (a) isolated tetrahedrons of [SiO₄]^4- with octahedrons of Mg, Fe, and Ca, (b) [Si₂O₇]^6- groups formed from two tetrahedrons, (c) hexagonal rings of [Si₃O₉]^6-, (d) chains of [SiO₃]^2-, (e) double chains of [Si₄O₁₁]^6-, and (f) sheets of hexagonal rings of [Si₄O₁₀]^4-

Cyclosilicates are characterized by a ring structure in which the [SiO₄]^4- groups are not isolated but connected by common oxygen ions into rings (Figure l,c). The two types of rings are the simple and the double (”two-story”). The first type includes the [Si₃O₉]^6- rings of the wollastonite group, Ca₃[Si₃0₉], the [Si₄O₁₂]^8- rings of the taramellite group, Ba₂Fe₂[Si₄O_l2](OH)₂, the [Si₆O₁₈]^12- rings of the beryl, Be₃Al₂[Si₆O₁₈], and cordierite, Mg₂Al₃[AlSi₅O₁₈], groups, and the [Si₈O₂₄]^12- rings of the muirite group, Ba¹⁰CaMnTi₂[Si₈O₂₄]·(Cl, OH, O)¹²·4H₂O. The second type of ring structure—the double ring—includes the [Si₈O₂₀]^12- rings of the ekanite group, Ca₂Th[Si₈O₂₀], and the [Si₁₂O₃₀]^12- rings of the milarite group, KCa₂Be₂Al[Si₁₂O₃₀].

The simplest and most widely distributed inosilicates are composed of continuous chains of silicon-oxygen tetrahedrons, the vertices of which are connected to form [SiO₃]^2- chains or [Si₄O₁₁]^6- double chains (Figure l,d and e). Inosilicates include the pyroxene, amphibole, and ramsayite, Na₂[Ti₂Si₂O₆]O₃, groups.

Phyllosilicates are characterized by continuous sheets of silicon-oxygen tetrahedrons that extend in two directions and form infinite two-dimensional radicals. The formulas of the radicals depend on the spatial arrangement of the silicon-oxygen tetrahedrons in the sheet. The [Si₄O₁₀]^4- radical (Figure l,f) is typical of sheets composed of hexagonal ring. Here, each of the six silicon atoms of a ring also belongs to two other rings; that is, there are two silicon atoms per ring. Among the phyllosilicates are micas of the muscovite and biotite, K(Mg, Fe_2-3)[AlSi₃O₁₀]·(OH, F)₂, groups, as well as the pyro-phyllite, Al₂[Si₄O₁₀](OH)₂, talc, Mg₃[Si₄O₁₀]·(OH)₂, kaolinite, Al₄[Si₄O₁₀](OH)₈, serpentine, Mg₆[Si₄O₁₀](OH)₈, halloysite, Al₄(H₂O)₄[Si₄O₁₀](OH)₈, and chlorite groups. Phyllosilicates also include gadolinite, FeY₂·[Be₂Si₂O₁₀]. Among the titanosilicates is astrophyllite, (K, Na)₃(Mn, Fe)₇[Ti₂(Si₄O_l2)₂]·O₂(OH)₅, and among the uranosilicates is sklodovskite, (H₃O)₂Mg [UO₂(SiO₄)]₂·3H₂O.

Tectosilicates possess an infinite three-dimensional framework of silicon-oxygen [SiO₄]^4- tetrahedrons, the vertices of which are all linked to other tetrahedrons. Each oxygen atom therefore simultaneously belongs to two tetrahedrons. The general formula for tectosilicates is [Al_mSi_n-mO_2n]^m-. Tectosilicates include minerals of the feldspar, Na[AlSi₃O₈]— K[AlSi₃O₈]—Ca[Al₂Si₂O₈], and nepheline, KNa₃[AlSiO₄], groups, as well as of the petalite, Li[AlSi₄O₁₀], danburite, Ca[B₂Si₂O₈], zeolite, sodalite, Na₄[AlSiO₄]₃Cl, and helvine, Mn₄[BeSiO₄]₃S, groups.

A substantial number of different types of tetrahedron chains, bands, networks, and frameworks have been established in silicate structures.

The composition of the tetrahedral radicals determines whether the silicate is simple, that is, made up of silicon-oxygen [SiO₄]^4- radicals, or complex. Complex silicates are those containing, in addition to [SiO₄]^4-, tetrahedral groups of aluminum (aluminosilicates), beryllium (beryllosilicates), boron (borosili-cates), titanium (titanosilicates), zirconium (zirconosilicates), or uranium (uranosilicates). There are also silicates of Al, Be, Ti, and Zr, in which these elements play the role of cations, such as Mg and Fe. Here, the elements combine with silicon-oxygen tetrahedrons not at the vertices but along the ribs or at vertices divided between two tetrahedrons.

The cations forming part of the composition of silicates fall into two groups. Small cations, such as Mg²⁺, Al³⁺, Fe²⁺, Mn²⁺, and to a certain extent, Ca²⁺, usually exhibit octahedral coordination (the compounds containing these cations constitute N. V. Belov’s The First Chapter of the Crystal Chemistry of Silicates, 1961). Large cations, which include K⁺, Na⁺, Ca²⁺, Ba²⁺, Sr²⁺, and cations of the rare-earth elements, form correspondingly larger coordination polyhedrons. The polyhedrons have eight, nine, or 12 vertices, and the edges are commensurate with the dimensions of [Si₂O₇]^6- groups (these compounds are associated with The Second Chapter of the Crystal Chemistry of Silicates), not of single [SiO₄]^4- tetrahedrons.

A characteristic feature of silicates is isomorphism, particularly widespread among cations; as a result, series of solutions in silicates, either continuous or within wide substitution limits, are common, as are isomorphic admixtures. Therefore, even expanded silicate formulas, which take into account the main isomorphic substitutions, are still incomplete because of the extreme complexity of true silicate composition. The distribution of isomorphic cations in the silicate structure depends on temperature and can be determined by X-ray diffraction analysis or according to Mössbauer and infrared spectra. This dependence enables silicates to be used as geothermometers.

The silicate structure is characterized by such diverse forms of hydrogen inclusion as hydroxyl groups, water of crystallization, zeolitic water, and interlayer adsorption water. These inclusions are studied by means of nuclear magnetic resonance, thermoanalysis, and infrared spectroscopy. In all silicate classes, there are groups with accessory anions (O^2-, F^-, CI^-, OH^-, S^2-) and radicals (SO₄^2-, CO₃^2-).

Further complications in silicate structure are associated with such phenomena as substitutional transformation (especially Al═Si in aluminosilicates and Mg═Fe in olivines, pyroxenes, and amphiboles), polytypes, mixed-layer intergrowths (in phyllosilicates), polymorphic transformations (for example, andalusite═disthene═sillimanite), decomposition of solid solutions, and the formation of electron-hole centers.

Most silicates exhibit low symmetry because of their complex structure. Approximately 45 percent crystallize in the mono-clinic system, while 20 percent crystallize in the orthorhombic system, 9 percent in the triclinic, 7 percent in the tetragonal, 10 percent in the trigonal and hexagonal, and 9 percent in the isometric.

Twinning in silicates is extremely common (crystal twins, twins of mechanical and phase transformations).

Properties. The properties of silicates are for the most part determined by the type of silicon-oxygen tetrahedron. Cleavage is imperfect in nesosilicates and cyclosilicates; it is perfect and dependent on the orientation of silicon-oxygen groups in inosilicates, phyllosilicates, and tectosilicates. Hardness is generally 5.5-7, except for phyllosilicates, in which it drops to 1-2; density is approximately 2,500-3,500 kg/m³. The color of most silicates is determined by iron ions: Fe²⁺ imparts a green color; Fe³⁺, brown, red, or yellow; and Fe²⁺ with Fe³⁺, blue and other colors. However, the characteristic color of individual groups is dependent on Ti³⁺, V⁴⁺, Cr³⁺, Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Cu²⁺ ions and on the combinations of these ions with, for example, iron ions. In certain minerals, color is determined by the electron-hole centers. Color is often associated with microscopic inclusions of colored minerals.

The optical properties of silicates, such as refraction and optical orientation, are of great importance to silicate diagnosis. These properties can be measured using the Fedorov stage or the immersion method.

Origin. The origin of silicates is extremely diverse: they are formed during magma crystallization as well as during metamorphic and metasomatic processes. More rarely, silicates are formed in hydrothermal veins. Large silicate crystals are formed in pegmatites.

The physicochemical characteristics of silicate formation under natural conditions are determined by a paragenetic analysis of mineral associations, taking into account the data obtained from carefully studied phase diagrams of silicate systems. Weathering brings about the destruction of most silicates and is accompanied by the formation of sedimentary rocks, the leaching out of basic compounds, and the liberation of silica, as well as by the emergence of hydrous aluminum silicates from aluminosilicates and the formation of clay minerals, nontronite, gar-nierite, iron oxides, and carbonates.

Silicates (plagioclases, olivine, pyroxenes) are also the principal minerals in lunar rocks and are present in meteorites. It is supposed that olivine and olivine’s more compact modification with a spinel structure constitute nearly all of the earth’s mantle.

Use. Silicates are among the most important minerals. Of special importance are the silicate minerals in lithium and beryllium ores, the ores of dispersed elements, and silicate nickel ores. Nepheline deposits provide complex concentrates for the extraction of aluminum, potash, and soda. Silicates make up a large part of nonmetallic minerals (feldspars, micas, asbestos, talc, zeolites, garnets, bentonite clays, refractory clays) and gems (emerald, aquamarine, topaz, chrysolite, tourmaline).

The study of silicates as the principal minerals of the earth and moon, containing many valuable elements either as basic components or admixtures, is an important trend in modern mineralogy and is closely associated with geochemistry, litholo-gy, and geophysics, as well as with the study of the material composition of mineral deposits.

REFERENCES

Sobolev, V. S. Vvedenie ν mineralogiiu silikatov. L’vov, 1949.
Belov, N. V. KristaUokhimiia silikatov s krupnymi kationami. Moscow, 1961.
Eitel, W. Fizicheskaia khimiia silikatov. Moscow, 1962. (Translated from English.)
Deer, W. A., R. A. Howie, and J. Zussmann. Porodoobrazuiushchie mineraly, vols. 1–4. Moscow, 1965-66. (Translated from English.)
Povarennykh, A. S. Kristallokhimicheskaia klassifikatsiia mineral’nykh vidov. Kiev, 1966.
Mineraly: Spravochnik, vol. 3, fasc. 1. Moscow, 1972.
Korzhinskii, D. S. Teoreticheskie osnovy analiza paragenezisov mineralov. Moscow, 1973.
Marfunin, A. S. Vvedenie ν fiziku mineralov. Moscow, 1974.

A. S. MARFUNIN [23–1073–]

silicate

[′sil·ə·kət] (inorganic chemistry) The generic term for a compound that contains silicon, oxygen, and one or more metals, and may contain hydrogen. (mineralogy) Any of a large group of minerals whose crystal lattice contains SiO₄ tetrahedra, either isolated or joined through one or more of the oxygen atoms.

silicate

An insoluble metal salt; occurs in concrete, cement, brick, glass, clay, and many other materials.

silicate

a salt or ester of silicic acid, esp one of a large number of usually insoluble salts with polymeric negative ions having a structure formed of tetrahedrons of SiO₄ groups linked in rings, chains, sheets, or three dimensional frameworks. Silicates constitute a large proportion of the earth's minerals and are present in cement and glass

silicate

sil·i·cate

silicate

sil•i•cate

sil·i·cate

silicate

silicate,

Silicate

REFERENCES

silicate

silicate

silicate

silicate

sil·i·cate

silicate

sil·i·cate

silicate

Words related to silicate

noun a salt or ester derived from silicic acid

Related Words