detailides

Detailides are a hypothetical class of crystalline solids that appear in theoretical discussions of mineralogy as an idealized model of layered, covalently bonded frameworks. The concept is used to illustrate how competition between strong intralayer bonds and weaker interlayer forces could produce anisotropic mechanical, electronic, and optical properties. The term is not part of official mineral nomenclature; the International Mineralogical Association has not recognized detailides as a defined mineral group.

Composition and structure: In the proposed model, detailides consist of interleaved sheets containing metal cations and nonmetal anions arranged in a two-dimensional lattice, with optional intercalants. The framework is predicted to show high in-plane stiffness but relatively low interlayer cohesion, leading to anisotropic elasticity and potential exfoliation under shear.

Occurrence and synthesis: As a hypothetical construct, no natural occurrence has been documented, and no laboratory synthesis has been reported in peer‑reviewed literature. Some educational descriptions present detailides as a teaching tool to discuss structure–property relationships in layered materials.

Properties and applications: In speculative discussions, detailides are predicted to exhibit distinctive optical anisotropy and variable electrical conductivity depending on interlayer interactions. Potential applications in theory include selective membranes, nanoscale catalysts, or components in molecular electronics, though these remain theoretical.

See also: Layered materials, van der Waals solids.