Phillipsite
Phillipsite is a mineral series of the zeolite group; a hydrated potassium, calcium and aluminium silicate, approximating to (Ca,Na2,K2)3Al6Si10O32·12H2O. The members of the series are phillipsite-K, phillipsite-Na and phillipsite-Ca.[2] The crystals are monoclinic, but only complex cruciform twins are known, these being exactly like twins of harmotome which also forms a series with phillipsite-Ca.[2] Crystals of phillipsite are, however, usually smaller and more transparent and glassy than those of harmotome. Spherical groups with a radially fibrous structure and bristled with crystals on the surface are not uncommon. The Mohs hardness is 4.5, and the specific gravity is 2.2. The species was established by Armand Lévy in 1825 and named after William Phillips. French authors use the name Christianite (after Christian VIII of Denmark), given by A. Des Cloizeaux in 1847.
| Phillipsite | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General | |
| Category | Zeolites |
| Formula (repeating unit) | (Ca,Na2,K2)3Al6Si10O32·12H2O |
| Strunz classification | 9.GC.10 |
| Crystal system | Monoclinic |
| Crystal class | Prismatic (2/m) (same H-M symbol) |
| Space group | P21/m |
| Identification | |
| Color | White |
| Mohs scale hardness | 4 - 4.5 |
| Luster | Vitreous |
| Streak | White |
| Specific gravity | 2.2 |
| Optical properties | Biaxial (+/-) |
| Refractive index | nα = 1.483 - 1.505 nβ = 1.484 - 1.511 nγ = 1.486 - 1.514 |
| Birefringence | δ = 0.003 - 0.009 |
| 2V angle | 60 to 90° measured |
| References | [1][2] |
Phillipsite is a mineral of secondary origin, and occurs with other zeolites in the amygdaloidal cavities of mafic volcanic rocks: for example in the basalt of the Giants Causeway in County Antrim, and near Melbourne in Victoria; and in Lencitite near Rome. Small crystals of recent formation have been observed in the masonry of the hot baths at Plombires and Bourbonne-les-Bains, in France. Minute spherical aggregates embedded in pelagic red clay were dredged by the Challenger from deep sea sedimentary deposits in the Pacific Ocean.[3]
It has been discovered that the volcanic ash that Romans employed in the mix for construction of harbor piers and sea walls contained phillipsite, and that an interaction with sea water actually causes crystalline aluminous tobermorite structures in the mortar to expand and strengthen, making the material substantially more durable than modern concrete.[4][5][6]
References
- Mineralienatlas
- Phillipsite on Mindat.org
- Sheppard, Richard A; Fitzpatrick, Joan J (1989), "Phillipsite from silicic tuffs in saline, alkaline-lake deposits", Clays and Clay Minerals, 37 (3): 243–247, Bibcode:1989CCM....37..243S, doi:10.1346/CCMN.1989.0370307
- Ancient Romans made world’s ‘most durable’ concrete. We might use it to stop rising seas, Washington Post, Ben Guarino, July 4, 2017. Retrieved July 5, 2017.
- Ancient lessons: Roman concrete durable, green, Jim Destefani, ed., Ceramic Tech Today, The American Ceramic Society, June 7, 2013
- Jackson, Marie D.; Mulcahy, Sean R.; Chen, Heng; Li, Yao; Li, Qinfei; Cappelletti, Piergiulio; Wenk, Hans-Rudolf (2017). "Phillipsite and Al-tobermorite mineral cements produced through low-temperature water-rock reactions in Roman marine concrete". American Mineralogist. 102 (7): 1435–1450. Bibcode:2017AmMin.102.1435J. doi:10.2138/am-2017-5993CCBY. ISSN 0003-004X.
- Leonard James Spencer (1911). . In Chisholm, Hugh (ed.). Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 21 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 408.