Brief Idea of Silicate

Structure of Rock
Forming Minerals
Abhay Singh 2016UGMM075
Balram Kumar 2016UGMM085
Abhishek Kumar 2016UGMM087
Classification of Minerals
Minerals

Rock forming Ore forming

Silicate Non-silicate

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Structure of
Silicate
In order to neutralize the +4 charge on
the Si cation, one negative charge from
each of the Oxygen ions will reach the Si
cation. Thus, each Oxygen will be left
with a net charge of -1, resulting in a
SiO4-4 tetrahedral group that can be
bonded to other cations.
It is this SiO4-4 tetrahedron that forms the
basis of the silicate minerals.

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Classification of Silicate
minerals

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 Nesosilicates

Silicates Sorosilicates

Cyclosilicates
Single chain
Inosilicates
Double chain
Phyllosilicates

Tectosilicates
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Nesosilicates
● Structural unit is SiO4-4
● Single silicate tetrahedra i.e.
isolated & hence also called island silicates.
● Higher density, refractive index and
hardness than other subclass.
● Maximum gemstones are of this subclass.
● Example : Olivine(Mg,Fe)2SiO4 ,
Garnet group( X3Y2(SiO4) 3 )
Olivine

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Sorosilicates
● Basic structural unit is (Si2O7) -6 .
● Two silicate tetrahedra are linked by one oxygen
ion, thus also called as double island silicate.
● It has very rare occurence due to it’s unusual
hourglass like shape.
● Also found as combination of single and double
island group.
Contd…
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● Epidote ( Ca2(Al,Fe)3OAl2(SiO4)(Si2O7)(OH) )
is the only common and widespread mineral of
this subclass.
● Example : Hemimorphite ( Zn4Si2O7(OH)2·H2O ).

Epidote
Hemimorphite

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 [Si6O18]-12
Cyclosilicates
● Basic structural unit is (SixO3x)-2x.
● Ring shape with two oxygen atoms shared .
● Silicon and Oxygen atom ratio is 1:3.
● Number of tetrahedra in a ring ranges
from 3 to 8.
● Eudialyte is the only cyclosilicate having
9 tetrahedra in a ring.
Eudialyte

Contd…
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● It has high lusture, hardness and durability.
● Example :
3 member ring - Benitoite BaTi(Si3O9)]
4 member ring – Papagoite [CaCuAlSi2O6(OH)3] Beryl
5 member ring - Beryl [Be3Al2(Si6O18)] and
Tourmaline
[(Na,Ca)(Al,Li,Mg)3(Al,Fe,Mn)6(Si6O18(BO3)3(OH)4]

Benitoite Papagoite Tourmaline

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 Inosilicates

Single chain Double chain

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 Si2O6 -4

Single chain inosilicates

● Basic structural unit Si2O6 -4 .
● The ratio of silicon and oxygen atom are 1:3.
● In the single chain group the tetrahedrons
share two oxygens with two other tetrahedrons
and form a seemingly endless chain.
● 2 set cleavage at 90 degree.
● Example : Enstatite (Mg,Fe)SiO3
Enstatite

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 Si4O11-6 .

Double chain inosilicates

● Basic structural unit is Si4O11-6 .
● The ratio of silicon and oxygen atom is 4:11.
● In the double chain group, two single chains
lie side by side so that all the right sided
tetrahedrons of the left chain are linked by an
oxygen to the left sided tetrahedrons of the right chain.

Contd…
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● 2 set cleavage at 120-60 degree.
● Cleavage direction is the distinguishing factor between single and
double chain inosilicates.
● Example : Anthophyllite (Mg,Fe)7Si8O22(OH)2 ,
Tremolite Ca2Mg5Si8O22(OH)2

Tremolite Anthophyllite
 Si2O5-2

Phyllosilicates
● Basic structural unit is Si2O5-2.
● Silicon and Oxygen atom ratio is 2:5.
● Each tetrahedra shares 3 oxygen atom.
● Sheet like structure & hence also called sheet silicate.
● All phyllosilicates minerals are hydrated with either water or
hydroxyl group attached.
● Sheets are connected to each other by cation layers.
● Cation layers are weakly bonded & often water molecules are
trapped between sheets hence,we get very soft minerals.
Contd…
Properties:
● Flat and platy form.
● One set of basal cleavage.
● High erosion and weathering resistant in chemical
environment.
● Tolerant to high temperature and pressure.

Contd…
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● Examples: Muscovite [KAl2(AlSi3)O10(OH)2], Biotite
[K(Mg,Fe)3(AlSi3)O10(OH)2], Talc [Mg3Si4O10(OH)2].

Talc

Biotite Muscovite
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Tectosilicates
● Basic structural unit is SiO2 or AlSiO4-1
● All the four oxygen atoms are shared with another SiO4
tetrahedron.
● Thus forms a 3D framework structure.
● Hence known as “Framework silicates”.
● Aluminum ion can easily substitute for the silicon ion in the
tetrahedrons.
Contd…
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● Due to imbalance in charge additional cations are needed,
creating the numerous minerals.
● Thus showing great variations within the subclass.
● Due to this substitution 75%of earth’s crust is made up of this
subclass.
● Examples: Quartz [SiO2], Orthoclase [KAlSi3O8].

Orthoclase Quartz
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Silicate minerals are by far the most
common, making up more than 90% of the
earth’s crust.
Among all the minerals approx. 30% are
silicates.
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Most abundant minerals in the crust

3% 8% Feldspar(Plagioclase)
5% Alkali Feldspar

5% Quartz
39% Pyroxenes
5%
Amphiboles
Mica
11%
Clay
Other silicates
12% 12%
Non-silicates

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Chemical elements in the crust

1.5%
Oxygen
Silicon
Aluminium
8.1% 46.6% Iron
Calcium
Potassium
27.7% Sodium
Magnesium
Others

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Some uses of
common Silicates
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● Kyanite Al2SiO5 , a nesosilicate, used primarily in refractory,
ceramic products and electrical insulators.
● Topaz Al2SiO4(F,OH)2 , a nesosilicate, is the hardest silicate
and commonly used as a gemstone.

Kyanite Topaz
Contd…
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● Beryl Be3Al2(Si6O18), a cyclosilicate, is a source of beryllium
and gemstone emerald is a green variety if beryl.
● Talc Mg3Si4O10(OH)2 , a phyllosilicate, used in paper making,
plastic, paint, and cosmetics as talcum powder.

Emerald(Beryl) Talc
Contd…
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● Muscovite KAl2(AlSi3)O10(OH)2 , a phyllosilicate, is used as
heat and electrical insulator for industrial purposes.
● Quartz SiO2 , a tectosilicate, is used as silica for glass,
electrical components, optical lenses and abrasives.

Quartz
Muscovite
Contd…
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References
● https://www.tulane.edu/~sanelson/eens211/silicate_structures08.htm
● https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicate_minerals
● www.galleries.com/Silicates
● http://www.mineralogy4kids.org/mineral-group/silicates
● https://www.visionlearning.com/en/library/Earth-Science/6/The-Silicate-
Minerals/140
● https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-most-abundant-elements-in-the-
earth-s-crust.html
● http://www.sandatlas.org/composition-of-the-earths-crust/

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Thank you!
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