Kanatzidisite: A Natural Compound with Distinctive van der Waals Heterolayered Architecture

New minerals have long been a source of inspiration forthe designand discovery. Many quantum materials, including superconductors,quantum spin liquids, and topological materials, have been unveiledthrough mineral samples with unusual structure types. In this report,we present kanatzidisite, a new naturally occurring material withformula [BiSbS3](2)[Te-2] and monoclinicsymmetry (space group of P2(1)/m) with lattice parameters a = 4.0021(5) & ANGS;, b = 3.9963(5) & ANGS;, c = 21.1009(10) & ANGS;,and & beta; = 95.392(3)& DEG;. The mineral exhibits a unique structureconsisting of alternating BiSbS3 double van der Waals layersand distorted [Te] square nets essentially forming an array of parallelzigzag Te chains. Our theoretical calculations suggest that the bandstructure of kanatzidisite may exhibit topological features characteristicof a Dirac semimetal.