Neutron Diffraction Studies of Hydrous Minerals in Geosciences

Abstract

Applications of neutron diffraction experiments for structural studies of hydrous minerals are reviewed. The analysis of hydrous componets in minerals has always played a crucial role for the understanding of chemical and physical properties of crystalline minerals. A historical perspective of the impact of neutron diffraction in the early days of structural studies is given where the analysis of crystal structures of minerals containing hydrate water was of prime interest to the community. The selected examples of the past are combined with a summary of up-to-date experiments describing current state-of-the-art experiments and problems in geosciences where crystal structure analysis from neutron diffraction data is of unique value. The examples presented here are structural studies of nominally anhydrous minerals, zeolites, layer silicates, and, finally, soluble silicates.