Oksidilohkot

Oksidilohkot are a conceptual unit used in mineralogy and materials science to describe structural blocks formed by metal–oxygen polyhedra in oxide-based materials. In this context, an oksidilohko is a discrete cluster of oxide units that behaves as a building block within a crystal lattice, often comprising octahedrally or pyramidal coordinated metal cations linked by oxide anions.

These blocks can be arranged into three-dimensional frameworks, layered structures, or channel-containing motifs. The connectivity of the blocks—how many shared corners, edges, or faces—determines the overall topology and influences properties such as density, stiffness, ionic diffusion pathways, and electronic structure.

Oxide blocks are common in many natural and synthetic systems, including ferrites, titanates, layered oxide battery materials, perovskites, and spinels. In perovskite-like materials, for example, BO6 octahedra form a network of oxide blocks that define the material’s functional properties. In layered oxides, blocks may form alternating layers separated by oxide or other spacer layers, creating distinct structural motifs.

Understanding oksidilohkot helps researchers interpret diffraction data, design new materials, and predict properties such as dielectric behavior, magnetism, and ionic conductivity. The concept is used to describe how local polyhedral connectivity translates into the larger crystal architecture and material performance, and is often discussed alongside general terms like polyhedral connectivity and framework motifs in crystallography.

References to the term appear in Finnish mineralogy and materials science literature and are typically used in conjunction with broader descriptions of oxide structures and their topology.