Opal Synthesis: Toward Geologically Relevant Conditions

Natural opal is a widespread mineral formed by the aqueous alteration of silicate rocks. It occurs as a mixture of silica nano-to-micro-structures (e.g., nanograins, spheres) and silica hydrogel cement, with variations in the proportions of these components leading to significant differences in the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Minerals (Basel) 2024-10, Vol.14 (10), p.969
Main Authors: Gouzy, Simon, Rondeau, Benjamin, Vinogradoff, Vassilissa, Chauviré, Boris, Coulet, Marie-Vanessa, Grauby, Olivier, Terrisse, Hélène, Carter, John
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cement
Chemical properties
Chemical Sciences
Chemical synthesis
Chemicophysical properties
Concrete
Geology
Hydrogels
Material chemistry
Mixing ratio
Moisture content
Neutrons
Opal
Physicochemical processes
Physicochemical properties
Porosity
Potash
Potassium
Pressure
Silica
Silicates
Silicon dioxide
Sodium
Solvents
Temperature
Water content
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Summary:Natural opal is a widespread mineral formed by the aqueous alteration of silicate rocks. It occurs as a mixture of silica nano-to-micro-structures (e.g., nanograins, spheres) and silica hydrogel cement, with variations in the proportions of these components leading to significant differences in the physico-chemical properties of opals. However, the detailed process of their formation in nature and the influence of the mixing ratio are not fully understood, as opal has not been yet synthesized under geologically relevant conditions. This study aims to develop a method of opal synthesis in conditions close to continental weathering conditions (
ISSN:2075-163X
2075-163X
DOI:10.3390/min14100969