Crystallographic insights into monovalent thallium incorporation: Exploring hydropyrochlore structure for environmental remediation

Abstract

Hydropyrochlore, ideally (H2O,◻)2Nb2(O,OH)6(H2O), is a cubic mineral (space group Fd3 " m, a = 10.56-10.59 Å, Z = 8) belonging to the pyrochlore supergroup (general formula: A2-mB2X6-wY1-n).The K-rich variety of this species is unique to the Lueshe syenitic-carbonatitic deposit (D.R. Congo), where it occurs as the alteration product of primary (Ca,Na)2Nb2O6F pyrochlores. The structure of this mineral is made of a B2X6 (B = Nb, Ti; X = O, OH) framework that generates tunnels along the This is the peer-reviewed, final accepted version for American Mineralogist, published by the Mineralogical Society of America.The published version is subject to change. Cite as Authors (Year) Title. American Mineralogist, in press.