In situ high-temperature behaviour of fluor-elbaite: breakdown conditions and products

Abstract

The thermal behaviour of a fluor-elbaite from Minas Gerais (Brazil) was investigated at room pressure through in situ high-temperature X-ray powder diffraction (HT-XRPD), until the breakdown conditions were reached. The variations of fluor-elbaite structural parameters (unit-cell parameters and mean bond distances) were monitored together with site occupancies, and two main internal reactions were identified: the thermally-induced Fe oxidation process counterbalanced by (OH)– deprotonation, which starts at 500 °C (773 K), followed by a partial intracrystalline Fe–Al exchange between the octahedrally-coordinated Y and Z sites. The fluor-elbaite breakdown reaction occurs between 850 °C (1123 K) and 900 °C (1173 K). The breakdown products were identified at room temperature by XRPD and the breakdown reaction can be described by the following reaction: tourmaline\u2009→\u2009B-bearing mullite\u2009+\u2009hematite\u2009+\u2009spinel\u2009+\u2009B-poor (Na, Li, H2O)-bearing glass. Boromullite itself was not observed in the final heating products, and the B-bearing mullite from the breakdown reaction exhibited unit-cell parameters a\u2009=\u20097.5382(2) Å, b\u2009=\u20097.6749(2) Å, c\u2009=\u20092.8385(1) Å, V\u2009=\u2009164.22(1) Å3 (space group Pbam) consistent with an approximate Al8.5B1.5Si2O19 composition.