The ferriannite KFe(3)(2+)(Al(0.26)Fe(0.76)(3+)Si(3))O(10)(OH)(2) at 100 and 270 K

Unusually large and good-quality single crystals of the synthetic trioctahedral mica KFe(3)(2+)(Al(0.26)Fe(0.76)(3+)Si(3))O(10)(OH)(2) [potassium triiron(II) aluminasilaferrate(III) decaoxide dihydroxide] have been grown hydrothermally. X-ray diffraction data measured at 270 and 100 K have been used to refine the crystal structure, including the positions of the H atoms. This synthetic mica is similar to annite, KFe(3)AlSi(3)O(10)(OH)(2), and crystallizes with the same monoclinic C2/m symmetry. No phase transition has been observed down to 100 K. At low temperature, the ditrigonal distortion of the mica structure increases markedly, while the octahedral and tetrahedral bond lengths tend to decrease and increase, respectively. A detailed comparison of structural parameters in various Fe-rich micas is presented.