Siliceuze

Siliceuze is a term used in speculative mineralogy and, occasionally, science fiction to denote a theoretical silica-rich mineral with a three-dimensional SiO2 framework and porous channels. It is not an officially recognized mineral species, and no natural specimens are documented in major mineral databases.

Composition and structure: Siliceuze is described as predominantly silicon dioxide with minor framework-modifying oxides such as aluminum, alkali, or alkaline-earth ions. The proposed structure features a continuous network of SiO4 tetrahedra sharing oxygen, forming channels or cages that could host small molecules, similar to some zeolites in function but composed entirely of silica.

Physical properties: In hypothetical models, hardness might lie around 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale, with a density near 2.2 to 2.6 g/cm3. The refractive index would be close to that of quartz, about 1.46 to 1.50, and the material would be expected to be brittle. Thermal and mechanical behavior would depend on the extent of framework substitutions and the presence of porosity.

Occurrence and synthesis: Theoretical formation pathways include silica-saturated hydrothermal systems or high-temperature, high-pressure polymerization of silica. Synthesis could be pursued via sol-gel processing or melt-condensation to yield crystalline or amorphous variants, primarily for educational or exploratory purposes.

Significance: The concept of siliceuze serves as a thought experiment to illustrate the range of possible silica polymorphs, the role of framework silicates in porosity, and the distinction between existing minerals and hypothetical structures.

See also: quartz, silica, silicate minerals, zeolites, opal.