An X-Ray Examination of Mordenite (Ptilolite)

C. Waymouth, P. C. Thornely and W. H. Taylor
Physics Department, College of Technology, Manchester

IV. Summary: Specimens of the fibrous zeolite mordenite (ptilolite) have been examined by X-ray methods, and the specific gravity and pyroelectric properties determined. Laue and oscillation photographs indicate that the structure possesses orthorhombic symmetry, and the unit cell, with edges a 18·25, b 20·35, c 7·50 Å., contains four molecules of composition (Ca,Na2,K2)Al2Si10O24.7H2O. The space-group is either D2h17=Cmcm or C2v12=Cmc; the pyroelectric tests are somewhat inconclusive, but indicate that the c-axis [001] is probably polar. The structure is probably based on a framework of linked tetrahedra.

Mineralogical Magazine; December 1938 v. 25; no. 163; p. 212-216; DOI: 10.1180/minmag.1938.025.163.04
© 1938, The Mineralogical Society
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