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

From ore materials to precious gemstones, minerals play an important role in almost every aspect of our lives. This session will focus on characterization of economic minerals employing spectroscopic techniques, geochemical analysis, and microanalytical techniques.

Monday, 20 October 2025
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
HBGCC, Hall 1

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

Paper number: 113-20
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 8:00 AM – 8:00 AM

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 Programs. Vol. 57, No. 6

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-414745

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