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Polysomatic apatites

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Stevin PramanaORCiD

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Abstract

Certain complex structures are logically regarded as intergrowths of chemically or topologically discrete modules. When the proportions of these components vary systematically a polysomatic series is created, whose construction provides a basis for understanding defects, symmetry alternation and trends in physical properties. Here, we describe the polysomatic family A5NB3NO9N + 6XNδ (2 ≤ N ≤ ∞ ) that is built by condensing N apatite modules (A 5B3O18Xδ) in configurations to create BnO3n + 1 (1 ≤ n ≤ ∞) tetrahedral chains. Hydroxyapatite [Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2] typifies a widely studied polysome where N = 2 and the tetrahedra are isolated in A10(BO4)6X2 compounds, but N = 3 A15(B2O7)3(BO4) 3X3 (ganomalite) and N = 4 A20(B 2O7)6X4 (nasonite) are also known, with the X site untenanted or partially occupied as required for charge balance. The apatite modules, while topologically identical, are often compositionally or symmetrically distinct, and an infinite number of polysomes is feasible, generally with the restriction being that an A:B = 5:3 cation ratio be maintained. The end-members are the N = 2 polysome with all tetrahedra separated, and N = ∞, in which the hypothetical compound A 5B3O9 X contains infinite, corner-connected tetrahedral strings. The principal characteristics of a polysome are summarized using the nomenclature apatite-(A B X)-NS, where A/B/X are the most abundant species in these sites, N is the number of modules in the crystallographic repeat, and S is the symmetry symbol (usually H, T, M or A). This article examines the state-of-the-art in polysomatic apatite synthesis and crystallochemical design. It also presents X-ray and neutron powder diffraction investigations for several polysome chemical series and examines the prevalence of stacking disorder by electron microscopy. These insights into the structure-building principles of apatite polysomes will guide their development as functional materials. © 2010 International Union of Crystallography Printed in Singapore - all rights reserved.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Baikie T, Pramana SS, Ferraris C, Huang Y, Kendrick E, Knight KS, Ahmad Z, White TJ

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Acta Crystallographica Section B: Structural Science

Year: 2010

Volume: 66

Issue: 1

Pages: 1-16

Print publication date: 01/02/2010

ISSN (print): 0108-7681

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

URL: https://doi.org/10.1107/S0108768109053981

DOI: 10.1107/S0108768109053981

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