Lithiophilite
LiMnPO4IMA symbol Lhp[1] Strunz classification 8.AB.10 Crystal system Orthorhombic Crystal class Dipyramidal (mmm)
H-M symbol: (2/m 2/m 2/m) Space group Pmnb (if holohedral) Identification Color Clove-brown, yellowish brown, honey-yellow, salmon-pink, blue-gray, gray Crystal habit Prismatic – crystals shaped like slender prisms, stout prismatic, large single crystals, massive, oriented overgrowths Twinning Rare contact twins on {130} Cleavage [100] perfect, [110] and [011] poor Fracture uneven to conchoidal Mohs scale hardness 4–5 Luster Vitreous to subresinous Streak White to grayish white Diaphaneity Transparent to translucent Specific gravity 3.445–3.50 Optical properties Biaxial (+), 2V = 65° Refractive index nα=1.669, nβ=1.673, nγ=1.682 Birefringence δ =0.0130 Pleochroism None to weak References [2][3][4] 
H-M symbol: (2/m 2/m 2/m)
Lithiophilite is a mineral containing the element lithium. It is lithium manganese(II) phosphate with chemical formula LiMnPO4. It occurs in pegmatites often associated with triphylite, the iron end member in a solid solution series. The mineral with intermediate composition is known as sicklerite and has the chemical formula Li(Mn,Fe)PO4). The name lithiophilite is derived from the Greek philos (φιλός) "friend", as lithiophilite is usually found with lithium.[3]
Lithiophylite is a resinous reddish to yellowish brown mineral crystallizing in the orthorhombic system often as slender prisms. It is usually associated with lepidolite, beryl, quartz, albite, amblygonite, and spodumene of pegmatitic origin. It rather readily weathers to a variety of secondary manganese phosphates and oxides. It is a late-stage mineral in some complex granite pegmatites.[4] Members of the triphylite-lithiophilite series readily alter to secondary minerals.
The type locality is the Branchville Quarry, Branchville, Fairfield County, Connecticut where it was first reported in 1878.[3] The largest documented single crystal of lithiophilite was found in New Hampshire, US, measured 2.44×1.83×1.22 m3 and weighed about 20 tonnes.[5]
The synthetic form of triphylite, lithium iron phosphate, is a promising material for the production of lithium-ion batteries.
References
- ^ 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.
- ^ Lithiophilite at WebMineral
- ^ a b c Lithiophilite at Mindat.org
- ^ a b Lithiophilite in Handbook of Mineralogy
- ^ P. C. Rickwood (1981). "The largest crystals" (PDF). American Mineralogist. 66: 885–907.
Bibliography
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lithiophilite.
- Palache, P.; Berman H.; Frondel, C. (1960). "Dana's System of Mineralogy, Volume II: Halides, Nitrates, Borates, Carbonates, Sulfates, Phosphates, Arsenates, Tungstates, Molybdates, Etc. (Seventh Edition)" John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, pp. 665–669.
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- Geigerite (arsenate)
- Manganese nodule (various)
- Samsonite (sulfosalt)
- Zincobotryogen (sulfate)
- Wolframite (tungstate)
- Hübnerite (tungstate)
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