Wangdaodeite
A high-pressure form of ilmenite with the lithium niobate structure.
Key facts
- Formula
- FeTiO3
- Family
- High-pressure minerals
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- First described
- the Suizhou L6 chondrite, 2020
Wangdaodeite was described in 2020 from the Suizhou L6 chondrite. It is named after Wang Daode, a Chinese meteorite scientist.
What it is
Wangdaodeite has the chemistry of ilmenite, iron titanium oxide, but a different arrangement of its atoms, the one found in the laboratory crystal lithium niobate. Experiments show that ilmenite changes into a dense perovskite form at high pressure, and that this turns into the wangdaodeite structure when the pressure is released.
Where it is found
It forms tiny grains within ilmenite next to shock-melt veins in the Suizhou chondrite.
How it is recognised
It is identified by Raman spectroscopy and electron diffraction, because it looks like ordinary ilmenite in a polished section.
Did you know?
Like poirierite, wangdaodeite is thought to form as pressure drops, not at its peak.
Lithium niobate, which shares its structure, is used in lasers and telecommunications.