• journal_title：The Canadian Mineralogist
• Contributor：František Laufek ; Milan Drábek ; Roman Skála
• Publisher：Mineralogical Association of Canada
• Date：2010-
• Format：text/html
• Language：en
• Identifier：10.3749/canmin.48.5.1069
• journal_abbrev：Can Mineral
• issn：0008-4476
• volume：48
• issue：5
• firstpage：1069
• section：Articles

Phase relations in the system Ni–Sb–Te were studied in evacuated silica glass tubes to construct the 400°C isothermal section. Two extensive ternary solid-solutions were detected in the system, λ₁, Ni(Sb_1–xTe_x)_1+y (0 < x < 1, where, for x ≥ 0.9, the relation 0.09 ≤ y ≤ 1 applies), and λ₂, NiSb_1–xTe_2x (0.28 < x < 0.66). Their stability fields are elongate along the NiTe_1.09–NiSb and NiSb–NiTe₂ joins, respectively, indicating extensive Sb-for-Te substitution. These two solid solutions are breakdown products of the broad NiSb–NiTe–NiTe₂ solid solution that dominates the system at temperatures higher than 690°C. The mineral vavřínite, Ni₂SbTe₂, is a part of the λ₂ solid solution at 400°C. The average crystal structure of the λ₂ solid solution is of the CdI₂-or NiAs-type at 400°C; Sb and Te atoms occupy the same crystallographic position (i.e., Sb,Te mixed site). The λ₁ solid solution displays the NiAs-type structure along the NiTe_1.09–NiSb join; toward NiTe₂ composition, the phase was found to be of the CdI₂ type. Nisbite, NiSb₂, dissolves 8.4 at.% Te at 400°C. Phases Ni₇Sb₃, β₂ (Ni_3–δTe₂), γ₁ (NiTe_0.775) and A (Ni_5.66SbTe₂), hitherto unknown as minerals, can be expected in mafic and ultramafic rocks, in close association with melonite and breithauptite.