Structure and morphology of brucite

Trigonal system, A0 = 0.313 nm, C0 = 0.474 nm, Z = 1. Brucite structure is one of the most important layered structures. In the structure (OH) - approximately hexagonal packing, Mg2 is filled in the octahedral voids separated by the accumulation layer. Each Mg is surrounded by six OH, and there are three Mg on one side of each OH. [Mg(OH)6] octahedron {0001} is joined into layers in a common-edged manner, and the layers are maintained by weak hydrogen-oxygen bonds to form a layered structure. Mg-OH is not an octahedral sheet. It is obviously flattened along the c-axis. The thickness of Mg-OH sheet changes from 0.247 nm to 0.211 nm. The structural characteristics of brucite make it have plate crystal shape, low hardness and {0001} extremely complete cleavage.


Compound trigonometric polyhedron, D3d-3m (L33L33PC). The crystal is in the shape of plate or leaf. Common simplex: parallel double-sided C {0001}, hexagonal column m {1120}, rhombohedral R {1011}, Q {0113} or {2021}. Crystals are usually planar, fine scaly, rounded and irregular granular aggregates; sometimes there are parallel fibrous aggregates, called brucite. There is structural distortion in brucite.