113-21 The effects of dynamic shock compression of REE-modified cryptomelane (K-OMS-2)

Session: Mineralogical Characterization of Economic Resources: From Critical Minerals to Gemstones (Posters)

Presenting Author:

Authors:

Abstract:

Cryptomelane (K-OMS-2) (K(Mn4+, Mn2+)8O16) is a common mineral that appears in various geologic environments such as soils and desert rock varnish. K-OMS-2 has historically been studied as a catalyst for environmental remediation, but has recently gained interest in the materials science realm for its interesting properties and structural resistance to dynamic shock compression (DSC). Cryptomelane was modified at varying percentages of Ce+ and Eu+ to determine if increasing density and surface area enhance the resistance to DSC. The materials were characterized extensively before and after DSC using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Raman spectroscopy (RS). Laser-driven flyer plates (LDFP) were employed to conduct DSC using Al flyer plates for an impact speed of 3.5 km/s, given by a photon Doppler velocimetry (PDV) probe. Based on Hugoniot calculator and impedance matching, K-OMS-2 was found to be shocked at ~36.8 GPa. Preliminary TEM and RS results show increased structural integrity when K-OMS-2 is modified with REEs. 

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program. Vol. 57, No. 6, 2025

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-11012

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