Al
Si
O
H

Dickite

Dickite, Al2Si2O5(OH)4, is a kaolin polymorph and, as such, is a 1:1 aluminous dioctahedral phyllosilicate (clay) mineral. It exhibits mica-like layers with silicate sheets of 6-membered rings bonded to aluminum oxide/hydroxide layers. The crystal structure displayed to the left is based on a Rietveld refinement derived from powder time-of-flight neutron diffraction data.

Distribution

As part of the kaolinite clay family, dickite is used in ceramics, as paint filler, rubber, plastics and glossy paper.

Bish, D.L., and C.T. Johnston, 1993. Rietveld Refinement and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopic Study of the Dickite Structure at Low Temperature. Clays and Clay Minerals. 41:297-304.