Elastic Properties of the Pyrite-Type FeOOH-AlOOH System From First-Principles Calculations

The stability, structure, and elastic properties of pyrite-type (FeS2 structured) FeO2H were determined using density functional theory-based computations with an internally consistent Coulombic self-interaction term (U-eff). The properties of pyrite-type FeO2H are compared to that of pyrite-type AlO2H, with which it likely forms a solid solution at high temperature, as well as the respective lower pressure CaCl2-type polymorphs of both endmembers: epsilon-FeOOH and delta-AlOOH. Due to substantial differences in the CaCl2-type -> pyrite-type structural transition pressures of these endmembers, the stabilities of the (Al,Fe)O2H solid solution polymorphs are anticipated to be compositionally driven at lower mantle pressures. As the geophysical properties of (Al,Fe)OOH are structurally dependant, interpretations regarding the contribution of pyrite-type FeO2H to seismically observed features must take into account the importance of this broad phase loop. With this in mind, Fe-rich pyrite-type (Al,Fe)OOH may coexist with Al-dominant CaCl2-type delta-(Al,Fe)OOH in the deep Earth. Furthermore, pyrite-type (Al0.5-0.6,Fe0.4-0.5)O2H can reproduce the reduced compressional and shear velocities characteristic of seismically observed ultra low velocity zones in the Earth's lowermost mantle while Al-dominant but Fe-bearing CaCl2-type delta-(Al,Fe)OOH may contribute to large low shear velocity provinces.

Automated summary

Using density functional theory calculations, the stability, structure, and elastic properties of pyrite-type FeO2H were determined and compared with other polymorphs, suggesting composition-driven behavior at mantle pressures. The coexistence of pyrite-type (Al,Fe)OOH with CaCl2-type delta-(Al,Fe)OOH in the deep Earth is possible.