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How Is Sio2 Similar

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SiO2 and FePO4 are very similar in terms of their crystal structure. SiO2 consists of a metalloid bonded to oxygen atoms, whereas FePO4 consists of a transition metal which forms an ionic bond with a Phosphate ion (cation), which itself consists of a non-metal bonded to oxygen atoms. In addition, the size of Si and FeP relative to oxygen are very similar. These structural similarities mean that the observations made during the thermal transition from the alpha phase to the beta phase are also similar - loosely. This transition between phases is seen in the form of a change in the structure of the compounds once they cross a certain temperature.
However, due to differences in chemical structure, the specifics of the change in structure are vastly …show more content…

As such, FePO4 exists as a giant ionic lattice, held together by strong electrostatic forces of attraction. SiO2, on the other hand, forms covalent bonds. However, it exists as a giant covalent molecule, as opposed to separate, discrete covalent molecules.
Despite similarities in the physical structure of the compounds - both do form lattices - the nature of the bonds present, due to the different component elements of the two compounds, they have different chemical properties. They can be said to be polymorphic.
Polymorphism refers to their ability, as a solid material, to exist in more than one form or crystal structure. There is an assumption that both compounds exist as a solid in normal room temperature and pressure.
In the case of FePO4, alpha-beta transition occurs at 980K. As the compound transitions from alpha-FePO4 to beta-FePO4, the tendency pre-alpha-beta phase for the bond angles to converge is reversed. Notably, though, the behaviour of FePO4 does not perfectly mimic that of other alpha-quartz homeotypes. The bond angle in FePO4 decreases much more rapidly. This is due to the partially filled d-orbitals caused by the fact that FePO4 contains a transition metal as a cation (Fe (III)). This also causes the inter-tetrahedral …show more content…

alpha-FePO4 can be said to change more eagerly as compared to beta-FePO4. In alpha-FePO4, the thermal expansion is seen to be largely non-linear whilst having a significant amount of angular variations similar to the other alpha-quartz types.
However, thermal expansion does not take place in beta-FePO4 as the process does not take place at the extreme K-levels (980K and beyond). The abrupt absence of the process is said to be caused by dynamic instability, which in turn is related to the idea of rigid-unit mode. This proves that there has been a chemical restructuring between the range of temperature such that alpha-beta FePO4 becomes two chemicals that are essentially different; their difference manifesting in the amount of tetrahedral tilt they experience at different points of temperature increment (inter-conversion through tetrahedral tilting).
Hence, we can see that the mechanism is important as the structural changes related to it
(for polymorphs) affect symmetry. All in all, the behaviour of FePO4 is proven to not mimic that of the other alpha-quartz homeotypes. This conclusion of its properties itself makes
FePO4 an unsuitable piezoeletrical

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