Single and Twinned Li2CO3 Crystals (Zabuyelite) Epitaxially Grown on {0001} and {10-14} Forms of CaCO3 (Calcite) Crystals

Single microcrystals of Li2CO3 (zabuyelite) were observed on {0001} calcite surfaces, epitaxially grown and oriented along the <210> directions of calcite, the {001} form of zabuyelite being by far the best candidate to form the epitaxial interface. In addition, 3-fold pseudotwins of zabuyelite were observed in epitaxy on the cleavage {101j4} rhombohedron surface of calcite. The new twinning law is described along with the most probable zabuyelite/calcite interface. Further, a general rule is proposed, concerning the conservation of the orientation of the carbonate groups across the epitaxial interfaces and twin boundaries in carbonates.