Date of Award

2-22-2016

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Applied Science

First Advisor

Michael DeAngelis

Abstract

Olivine is one of the most important rock forming minerals in our solar system. It forms in a solid-solution series between a magnesium-rich end member, forsterite (Mg2SiO4), and an iron-rich end member, fayalite (Fe2SiO4). For this reason, it is commonly used for experiments regarding the formation and evolution of planetary objects. Scarcity of iron-rich phases and the desirability of pure materials for research force the use of synthetic minerals for these experiments. Previous forsterite and fayalite synthesis methods were reexamined and combined to develop a new synthesis method that can produce a specific composition of olivine within the solid solution range. Seven batches of olivine were created using this new method. The compositions of these seven batches were: Fo100 (×2), Fo74, Fo51, Fo52, Fo21, Fo00. Review of this synthesis method has resulted in the development of the following equation, ([Mg(OCH3)2] × (Fo%)) + ([FeCl2] × (1-Fo%)) + ([NaOC2H5] × (1-Fo%)) + [Si(OC2H5)4], that can be used to calculate the proper amounts of each reactant required to produce a desired composition.

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