LiAlSi4O10

LiAlSi4O10 is a chemical formula representing a lithium aluminum silicate composition. It is not listed as a formally named mineral in the major mineral databases, but the formula is used to describe aluminosilicate materials in which lithium ions balance the framework charge. Such compositions can occur as synthetic phases or as components in ceramic and glass-ceramic systems.

In terms of structure, the material would be expected to feature a three‑dimensional framework built from SiO4 and AlO4 tetrahedra linked through shared oxygen atoms. The substitution of aluminum for silicon introduces negative framework charge, which is balanced by Li+ cations occupying interstitial sites within the structure. The exact arrangement can vary, and LiAlSi4O10 may exist as a solid solution with related compositions.

Natural occurrence of the exact LiAlSi4O10 stoichiometry is not well established; most reports describe synthetic preparation or incorporation into composite materials rather than a discrete mineral species. Synthesis methods include solid‑state reactions, hydrothermal processing, sol–gel routes, and incorporation into glass-ceramic matrices.

Potential applications arise from lithium’s presence in the framework, including study as a lithium-ion conductor in solid-state electrolytes and as a component in ceramic materials, catalysts, or ion-exchange systems. As with other aluminosilicates, properties depend on synthesis conditions, the precise Li distribution, and the degree of Al/Si ordering.

See also: aluminosilicate, lithium silicate, silicate minerals, glass-ceramics.