A team of researchers from the University of Oslo and the ALBA Synchrotron has determined for the first time the crystal structure of dypingite, a naturally occurring hydrated magnesium carbonate mineral. Using synchrotron X-ray diffraction at ALBA, the scientists revealed how humidity triggers subtle but reversible disorder in the mineral’s structure. These findings, published in the Journal of Applied Crystallography, help explain the elusive nature of dypingite’s atomic arrangement and could improve our understanding of carbon mineralization – a natural process with implications for carbon dioxide capture and storage.
Understanding the structure of crystals and their defects has led to a number of surprising innovations across various fields, from modern electronics and computing to high-precision MRI machines and large high-energy accelerators. In light of this, researchers have been studying a number of disordered solid materials and exploring methods to engineer disorder within their crystal structures to gain control over the physical and chemical properties of the compounds. One mineral of growing interest is dypingite, a naturally-occurring hydrated magnesium carbonate mineral that forms through the reaction of magnesium-rich rocks with carbon dioxide and water.
These minerals have been found to play a role in natural carbon sequestration, whereby they lock atmospheric carbon dioxide into stable solid forms over geological timescales. Furthermore, dypingite forms flower-like nanoparticles that could have applications in catalysis and water filtration. Identifying their crystal structure could enable scientists to exploit these properties. Dypingite was first described in the 70’s. However, until now, it has been notoriously difficult to characterize due to its complex layering and sensitivity to moisture.
Read more on the ALBA website
Image: Naturally formed dypingite: (left) microphotograph of a dypingite layer on a serpentine rock; (right) SEM image of dypingite’s layers
