Two of the rarest minerals that were discovered in Siberia in the mid-20th century exhibit properties similar to those recently developed in the laboratory called organometallic structures (MOS).
Until now, scientists have assumed that such compounds are absent in nature. The detailed structural analysis of rare Siberian minerals greatly surprised the scientific community.
What is MOS?
Organometallic structures are created from polymers of hydrated metal ions. Their connection forms well-corrected empty channels and tunnels several nanometers wide. These voids within the molecular structure of the compounds allow the MOC to absorb and store gases such as hydrogen and carbon dioxide. Organometallic structures have incredible potential, as they can be used both as a means of cleaning the atmosphere of harmful emissions and as fuel cells.
Natural minerals
In a recent study, scientists found that two natural minerals found in Yakutia almost completely replicate the structure of MOS. These two natural elements are called stepanovite and pearlite. They were found in 1942 and 1963 near the Lena River basin in the Republic of Sakha, Siberia. Scientists did not have modern technological capabilities, therefore, they were not immediately able to assess the uniqueness of the minerals found and their value for future generations.
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According to the authors of a recent study, if in the middle of the last century it was possible to make a detailed structural analysis of elements, then the entire industry of developing and creating organometallic structures would be far ahead today. Perhaps we would already have new fuel.
The theory of the existence of new minerals
First, scientists working on the published study recreated stepanovite and pearlite in a laboratory setting and compared its structure to MOS. Both minerals are outwardly similar to glass of greenish and greenish-gray shades. Their structure almost completely repeats MOS.
Later, scientists were able to find natural minerals, the study and structural analysis of which confirmed the results of laboratory experiments.
Such structures have never been found in organic minerals before, which allows scientists to assume the existence of other elements in nature, repeating the structure of MOS.
Presumably, stepanovite and pearlite stone were formed due to the unique natural and geological conditions of the region. They were found at a depth of about 230 meters in the permafrost region. If there are other similar minerals in nature, then most likely they are in similar conditions.