Molecular Structure of Minerals

Dear Colleagues,

The molecular structure of minerals is the basic feature of each mineral, the fundamental factor determining the mineral morphology, physical properties, and genesis, and an important symbol for the generation and evolution history of minerals. At present, the characterization techniques studying the molecular structure characteristics of minerals include XRD, thermal analysis, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, and morphology observation techniques such as SEM and AFM. The characterization of mineral molecular structures can provide a scientific basis for the study of mineral genesis and evolution as well as the interpretation of various geological phenomena.

In recent years, research on the surface–interface interaction mechanism and environmental effect between minerals and environmental substances is very active. By combining with the latest means of mineralogical research, such as synchrotron radiation, in situ spectroscopy, adsorption models, computational simulation, etc., the surface–interface process and mechanism of minerals are revealed at the atomic and molecular levels, and the restriction mechanism of surface-derived minerals on the geochemical behavior of environmental substances is clarified.

The thermal and kinetic study of mineral molecular structures has also attracted much attention from the scientific community. There are corresponding change rules and internal relations in mineral chemical composition, internal structure, and physicochemical properties under high pressure (high temperature). Research on high-pressure new minerals and mineral phase transformation mechanisms is of great significance for the development of mineral resource utilization.

For this special issue on “Molecular Structure of Minerals”, we welcome the submission of original research articles, introducing the latest frontiers and developments in the characterization of mineral molecular structures, mineral evolution laws, mineral surface–interface interactions, high-pressure new minerals, and research on the mechanism of mineral phase transformation.

Dr. Dun Wu
Dr. Yuhang Gao
Dr. Guangqing Hu
Guest Editors

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