Hüdriide

Hüdriide is a hypothetical hydride mineral species proposed within the field of high-pressure mineralogy. The name combines the root hüdri- for hydrogen with the common mineral suffix -ide. In current mainstream mineralogy, hüdriide has not been confirmed as a distinct mineral, and its existence remains the subject of speculative models describing a metal hydride phase under extreme conditions.

Formation and occurrence suggestions posit that hüdriide would form at pressures typical of subduction zones or during planetary differentiation, where hydrogen is present and metal-rich phases are compressed. To date, no natural specimen has been verified as hüdriide; laboratory work has produced related hydride phases under high pressure, but these do not constitute a confirmed hüdriide composition.

Structure and properties in theoretical treatments point to a compact hydride lattice in which a metal framework is coordinated by hydrogen. Possible stoichiometries discussed include MH2 or M2H, depending on the element involved and the pressure conditions. Predicted properties vary with composition but commonly include high hydrogen content, a metallic to pale color range, relatively low to mid-range hardness, and high density compared with the pure metal. Stability is expected to be strongly dependent on temperature and pressure.

Significance and status: if confirmed, hüdriide would broaden understanding of hydrogen storage, high-pressure chemistry, and related physics, potentially informing research on superconductivity in metal hydrides. As of 2024, it remains a speculative concept and is not officially recognized by major mineral databases or authorities.

Related topics include hydride minerals, hydrogen storage materials, and high-pressure mineralogy.