Dickite

Dickite, Al₂Si₂O₅(OH)₄, is a kaolin polymorph and, as such, is a 1:1 aluminous dioctahedral phyllosilicate (clay) mineral. It exhibits mica-like layers with silicate sheets of 6-membered rings bonded to aluminum oxide/hydroxcide layers. The crystal structure displayed to the left is based on a Rietveld refinement derived from powder time-of-flight neutron diffraction data.

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Planes of Si atoms
Single silica tetrahedron
Silica tetrahedral layers
Planes of Al atoms
Single aluminum octahedron
Aluminum octahedral layers
Single unit cell
All atoms

Distribution

As part of the kaolinite clay family, dickite is used in ceramics, as paint filler, rubber, plastics and glossy paper.

Crystallographic Data

Reference

Bish, D.L., and C.T. Johnston, 1993. Rietveld Refinement and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopic Study of the Dickite Structure at Low Temperature. Clays and Clay Minerals. 41:297-304.

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Original release: 1 Oct 1998;