Lepidocrocite crystal structure

Schematic crystal structures of Fe(tll) oxides and oxyhydroxides (a) Hematite (a-FcjOs) (13) Goethite (a-FeO(OH)) (c) Akaganeite (/ -FeO(OH)) (d) Lepidocrocite (y-FeO(OH)). From Flynn (79).

The orange coloured lepidocrocite, y-FeOOH, is named after its platy crystal shape (lepidos scale) and its orange colour (krokus = saffron). It occurs in rocks, soils, biota and rust and is often an oxidation product of Fe ". It has the boehmite (y-AlOOH) structure which is based on cubic close packing (ccp) of anions. 

Manganese oxides, which have different structural and surface properties, vary substantially in their ability to promote the precipitation and crystallization of Fe oxides and oxyhydroxides. The Mn(II) dissolved from Mn oxides in the presence of Fe(II) also influences the crystallization of oxidation products of Fe(II). The Fe oxides formed as influenced by Mn oxides and dissolved Mn(II) range from lepidocrocite, goethite, maghemite, dkaganeite, feroxyhyte, magnetite, honessite-like minerals, to noncrystalline Fe oxides. Therefore, Mn oxides deserve close attention in the genesis of Fe oxides. 

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