Brownmillerite
Brownmillerite is a rare oxide mineral with chemical formula Ca2(Al,Fe)2O5. It is named for Lorrin Thomas Brownmiller (1902–1990), chief chemist of the Alpha Portland Cement Company, Easton, Pennsylvania.
| Brownmillerite | |
|---|---|
 Red/red-brown crystals of brownmillerite from Caspar quarry, Bellerberg Volcano, Ettringen, Mayen, Eifel Mts, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany | |
| General | |
| Category | Oxide mineral |
| Formula (repeating unit) | Ca2(Al,Fe)2O5 |
| Strunz classification | 4.AC.10 |
| Dana classification | 7.11.2.1 |
| Crystal system | Orthorhombic |
| Crystal class | Dipyramidal (mmm) H-M symbol: (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
| Space group | Ibm2 |
| Unit cell | a = 5.57 Å, b = 14.52 Å, c = 5.34 Å; Z = 4 |
| Identification | |
| Color | Reddish brown |
| Crystal habit | As minute square platelets; massive |
| Diaphaneity | Semitransparent |
| Specific gravity | 3.76 |
| Optical properties | Biaxial (-) |
| Refractive index | nα = 1.960 nβ = 2.010 nγ = 2.040 |
| Birefringence | δ = 0.080 |
| Pleochroism | Distinct; X = Y = yellow-brown; Z = dark brown |
| 2V angle | 75° (measured) |
| References | [1][2][3][4] |
Discovery and occurrence
The chemical compound was first recognized in 1932 and named for the chemist who identified it. The naturally occurring mineral form of the compound was first recognized in 1964 for occurrences in the Bellerberg volcano, Ettringen, Mayen-Koblenz, Germany.[3]
At the type locality the mineral occurs within limestone blocks that are contained in a volcanic flow. The limestone blocks had undergone thermal metamorphism. The mineral also occurs in the thermally altered strata of the Hatrurim Formation of Israel. Minerals associated with brownmillerite in the Mayen locality include calcite, ettringite, wollastonite, larnite, mayenite, gehlenite, diopside, pyrrhotite, grossular, spinel, afwillite, jennite, portlandite and jasmundite. In an Austrian occurrence near Kloch, melilite, mayenite, wollastonite, kalsilite and corundum are found. Within the Hatrurim area spurrite, larnite and mayenite are associated.[2]
The mineral is similar to the calcium aluminoferrite phases which are commonly found as components of Portland cement.
Use as a catalyst
Brownmillerite has been found to be a highly active oxygen evolution reaction catalyst in neutral pH.[5]
References
- Mineralienatlas
- Handbook of Mineralogy - Brownmillerite
- Mindat.org - Brownmillerite
- Brownmillerite data on Webmineral.com
- Zhou, Li Qin; Ling, Chen; Zhou, Hui; Wang, Xiang; Liao, Joseph; Reddy, Gunugunuri K.; Deng, Liangzi; Peck, Torin C. (2019-09-09). "A high-performance oxygen evolution catalyst in neutral-pH for sunlight-driven CO2 reduction". Nature Communications. 10 (1): 4081. Bibcode:2019NatCo..10.4081Z. doi:10.1038/s41467-019-12009-8. PMC 6733866. PMID 31501446.