• Korean Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.19-28
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• 2020

Ranciéte is a hexagonal phyllomanganate mineral containing random Mn(IV) vacancies with hydrated Ca²⁺ cations charged balanced as interlayer cations. Its Mn²⁺ analogue is called takanelite, and ranciéite and takanelite are regarded as end-members of a solid solution series of (Ca²⁺,Mn²⁺)Mn₄O₉·nH₂O. Because the minerals are found as very small particles associated with other minerals, the crystal structures of the solid solution series have yet to be defined. In this research, we conducted classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of ranciéite and takanelite by varying the Mn²⁺/Ca²⁺ interlayer cation ratio to find relations between the interlayer cations and mineral structures. MD simulation results of chalcophanite group minerals are compared with experimental results to verify our method applied. Then, lattice parameters of ranciéite and takanelite models are presented along with detailed interlayer structures as to the distribution and coordination of cations and water molecules. This study shows the potentials of MD simulations in entangling complicated phyllomanganates structures.