Lithiophosphate
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Lithiophosphate
Formula:
Li3PO4
Colour:
White, light pink, colourless
Lustre:
Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous
Hardness:
4
Specific Gravity:
2.46 - 2.478
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named in 1957 by V. V. Matias and A. M. Bondareva for the chemical composition Lithio- and PHOSphate.
Type Locality:
This page provides mineralogical data about Lithiophosphate.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2420
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2420:0
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
415888e1-a13b-41b4-a1ea-72e185437e96
IMA Classification of Lithiophosphate
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Li3(PO4)
Classification of Lithiophosphate
8.AA.20
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
A : Phosphates, etc. without additional anions, without H2O
A : With small cations (some also with larger ones)
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
A : Phosphates, etc. without additional anions, without H2O
A : With small cations (some also with larger ones)
38.4.10.1
38 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, AND VANADATES
4 : AXO4
38 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, AND VANADATES
4 : AXO4
19.1.1
19 : Phosphates
1 : Phosphates of the alkali metals
19 : Phosphates
1 : Phosphates of the alkali metals
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lip | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Lithiophosphate
Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
White, light pink, colourless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
4 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
Density:
2.46 - 2.478 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.479 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Lithiophosphate
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.550 - 1.553 nβ = 1.557 - 1.558 nγ = 1.566 - 1.567
2V:
Measured: 69° to 80°, Calculated: 74° to 84°
Birefringence:
0.015
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.016
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Low
Dispersion:
r > v weak
Optical Extinction:
XYZ = cab
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Lithiophosphate
Mindat Formula:
Li3PO4
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Lithiophosphate
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mm2 - Pyramidal
Space Group:
Pmn21
Setting:
Pmn21
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.115 Å, b = 5.234 Å, c = 4.845 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.168 : 1 : 0.926
Unit Cell V:
155.07 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Elongated crystals with striations || to elongation, also massive granular
Crystal Structure
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0009246 | Lithiophosphate | Zemann J (1960) Die kristallstruktur von lithiumphosphat, Li3PO4 Acta Crystallographica 13 863-867 |  | 1960 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0012460 | Lithiophosphate | Bondareva O S, Simonov M A, Belov N V (1978) The crystal structure of the synthetic analogue of the lithiophospate gamma-Li3PO4 Doklady Akademii Nauk SSSR 240 75-77 | 1978 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0012673 | Lithiophosphate | Keffer C, Mighell A D, Mauer F, Swanson H, Block S (1967) The crystal structure of twinned low-temperature lithium phosphate Inorganic Chemistry 6 119-125 | 1967 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0012724 | Lithiophosphate | Baur W H (1980) Solid solutions between octahedral and tetrahedral olivine types in Li-Zn-germanates Inorganic and Nuclear Chemistry Letters 16 525-527 | 1980 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0013842 | Lithiophosphate | Wang B, Chakoumakos B C, Sales B C, Kwak B S, Bates J B (1995) Synthesis, crystal structure, and ionic conductivity of a polycrystalline lithium phosphorus oxynitride with the gamma-Li3PO4 structure Journal of Solid State Chemistry 115 313-323 | 1995 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0013843 | Lithiophosphate | Wang B, Chakoumakos B C, Sales B C, Kwak B S, Bates J B (1995) Synthesis, crystal structure, and ionic conductivity of a polycrystalline lithium phosphorus oxynitride with the gamma-Li3PO4 structure Journal of Solid State Chemistry 115 313-323 | 1995 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.965 Å | (100) |
| 3.794 Å | (90) |
| 3.552 Å | (80) |
| 2.635 Å | (100) |
| 2.420 Å | (90) |
| 2.311 Å | (90) |
| 1.513 Å | (90) |
Comments:
Synthetic material
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 22 : Hydration and low-𝑇 subsurface aqueous alteration (see also #23) | |
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 34 : Complex granite pegmatites |
Geological Setting:
Granite pegmatite
Type Occurrence of Lithiophosphate
General Appearance of Type Material:
White to pale pink grains in aggregates to 9 x 5 x 4 cm
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Granite pegmatite
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Lithiophosphate
German:Lithiophosphatit
Russian:Литиофосфат
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 7 photos of Lithiophosphate associated with Rhodochrosite | MnCO3 |
| 3 photos of Lithiophosphate associated with Dorfmanite | Na2(PO3OH) · 2H2O |
| 3 photos of Lithiophosphate associated with Cesian Analcime | Na(AlSi2O6) · H2O |
| 2 photos of Lithiophosphate associated with Apatite | Ca5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH) |
| 2 photos of Lithiophosphate associated with Cassiterite | SnO2 |
| 2 photos of Lithiophosphate associated with Feldspar Group | |
| 1 photo of Lithiophosphate associated with Cosalite | Pb2Bi2S5 |
| 1 photo of Lithiophosphate associated with Tancoite | LiNa2Al(PO4)(PO3OH)(OH) |
| 1 photo of Lithiophosphate associated with Cookeite | (LiAl4◻)[AlSi3O10](OH)8 |
| 1 photo of Lithiophosphate associated with Hydroxylapatite | Ca5(PO4)3(OH) |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.AA.05 | Alarsite | AlAsO4 |
| 8.AA.05 | Berlinite | AlPO4 |
| 8.AA.10 | Beryllonite | NaBePO4 |
| 8.AA.15 | Hurlbutite | CaBe2(PO4)2 |
| 8.AA.25 | Nalipoite | NaLi2PO4 |
| 8.AA.30 | Olympite | Na5Li(PO4)2 |
Fluorescence of Lithiophosphate
Not fluorescent in UV
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Lithiophosphate
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2420.html
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References for Lithiophosphate
Localities for Lithiophosphate
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Australia | |
| Magna et al. (2016) |
Brazil | |
| Donald Doell Collection +1 other reference |
Canada | |
| 153-155. +3 other references |
Morocco | |
| Favreau (2012) |
Russia (TL) | |
| DAN-SSSR (1957) +1 other reference |
USA | |
| White et al. (1969) +3 other references |
| Rocks & Minerals: 60: 117. +1 other reference |
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Foote Lithium Co. Mine, Kings Mountain, Cleveland County, North Carolina, USA