Constraining the chemical, rheological and electromagnetic properties of the lowermost mantle (D'') is important to understand the formation and dynamics of the Earth's mantle and core. To explain the origin of the variety of characteristics of this layer observed with seismology, a number of theories have been proposed, including core-mantle interaction, the presence of remnants of subducted material and that D'' is the site of a mineral phase transformation. This final possibility has been rejuvenated by recent evidence for a phase change in MgSiO3 perovskite (thought to be the most prevalent phase in the lower mantle) at near core-mantle boundary temperature and pressure conditions. Here we explore the efficacy of this 'post-perovskite' phase to explain the seismic properties of the lowermost mantle through coupled ab initio and seismic modelling of perovskite and post-perovskite polymorphs of MgSiO3, performed at lowermost-mantle temperatures and pressures. We show that a post-perovskite model can explain the topography and location of the D'' discontinuity, apparent differences in compressional- and shear-wave models and the observation of a deeper, weaker discontinuity. Furthermore, our calculations show that the regional variations in lower-mantle shear-wave anisotropy are consistent with the proposed phase change in MgSiO3 perovskite.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

We combine first-principles calculations of forces with the direct nonequilibrium molecular dynamics method to determine the lattice thermal conductivity k of periclase (MgO) up to conditions representative of the Earth's core-mantle boundary (136 GPa, 4100 K). We predict the logarithmic density derivative a ¼ ð@ lnk=@ ln Þ T ¼ 4:6 AE 1:2 and that k ¼ 20 AE 5 Wm À1 K À1 at the core-mantle boundary, while also finding good agreement with extant experimental data at much lower pressures.

No abstract

It has recently been shown that the intercalation and subsequent in situ polymerization of organic monomers within the interlayer of clay minerals yields nanocomposites with novel material properties. We present results of plane-wave density functional theory (DFT) based investigations into the initial stages of the polymerization of methanal and ethylenediamine within the interlayer of sodium montmorillonite. Nucleophilic attack of the amine on the aldehyde is only observed when the aldehyde is protonated or coordinated to a metal ion. No evidence is found for the dissociation of water in the hydration sphere of the sodium counterions. The Brønsted acidity of the hydroxyl groups present in the silicate layers is significantly affected by their proximity to sites of isomorphic substitution. However, the most obvious Brønsted acid sources are shown to be unlikely to catalyze the reaction. Instead catalysis is shown to occur at the clay mineral lattice-edge where hydroxyl groups and exposed aluminum ions act as strong Brønsted and Lewis acid sites, respectively.

No abstract