Uranopilite

(repeating unit)(UO2)6SO4(OH)6O2·14H2OIMA symbolUp[1]Strunz classification7.EA.05Crystal systemTriclinicCrystal classPinacoidal (1)
(same H-M symbol)Space groupP1IdentificationOther characteristics RadioactiveReferences[2][3]

Uranopilite is a minor ore of uranium with the chemistry (UO2)6SO4(OH)6O2·14H2O or, hydrated uranyl sulfate hydroxide.

As with many uranyl minerals, it is fluorescent and radioactive. It is straw yellow in normal light. Uranopilite fluoresces a bright green under ultraviolet light. Uranopilite contains clusters of six uranyl pentagonal bipyramids that share equatorial edges and vertices, with the clusters cross-linked to form chains by sharing vertices with sulfate tetrahedra. In uranopilite, the chains are linked directly by hydrogen bonds, as well as to interstitial H2O groups.

Uranopilite is associated with other uranyl minerals such as zippeite and johannite and, like them, is usually found as an efflorescent crust in uranium mines.

Notable occurrences include:

See also

References

  1. ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. ^ http://www.mindat.org/min-4108.html Mindat
  3. ^ https://www.mineralienatlas.de/lexikon/index.php/MineralData?mineral=Uranopilite Mineralienatlas
  • Progress in Solid State Chemistry
  • ATHENA MINERAL: Mineral Data
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