Structure and Properties of Nanosilicates with Olivine (Mg2SiO4) N and Pyroxene (MgSiO3) N Compositions.

ABSTRACT: Magnesium-rich silicates are ubiquitous both terrestrially and astronomically, where they are often present as small particles. Nanosized Mg-rich silicate particles are likely to be particularly important for understanding the formation, processing, and properties of cosmic dust grains. Although astronomical observations and laboratory studies have revealed much about such silicate dust, our knowledge of this hugely important class of nanosolids largely rests on top-down comparisons with the properties of bulk silicates. Herein, we provide a foundational bottom-up study of the structure and properties of Mg-rich nanosilicates based on carefully procured atomistic models. Specifically, we employ state-of-the-art global optimization methods to search for the most stable structures of silicat

SUBMITTER: Escatllar AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7009040 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature