Rosa Malena Fernandes Lima

Vibrational spectroscopy of the phosphate mineral kovdorskite-Mg2PO4(OH)·3H2O.

The mineral kovdorskite Mg2PO4(OH)·3H2O was studied by electron microscopy, thermal analysis and vibrational spectroscopy. A comparison of the vibrational spectroscopy of kovdorskite is made with other magnesium bearing phosphate minerals and compounds. Electron probe analysis proves the mineral is very pure. The Raman spectrum is characterized by a band at 965 cm(-1) attributed to the PO4(3-) ν1 symmetric stretching mode. Raman bands at 1057 and 1089 cm(-1) are attributed to the PO4(3-) ν3 antisymmetric stretching modes. Raman bands at 412, 454 and 485 cm(-1) are assigned to the PO4(3-) ν2 bending modes. Raman bands at 536, 546 and 574 cm(-1) are assigned to the PO4(3-) ν4 bending modes. The Raman spectrum in the OH stretching region is dominated by a very sharp intense band at 3681 cm(-1) assigned to the stretching vibration of OH units. Infrared bands observed at 2762, 2977, 3204, 3275 and 3394 cm(-1) are attributed to water stretching bands. Vibrational spectroscopy shows that no carbonate bands are observed in the spectra; thus confirming the formula of the mineral as Mg2PO4(OH)·3H2O.

Vibrational spectroscopy of the mineral meyerhofferite CaB3O3(OH)5·H2O--an assessment of the molecular structure.

Meyerhofferite is a calcium hydrated borate mineral with ideal formula: CaB3O3(OH)5·H2O and occurs as white complex acicular to crude crystals with length up to ~4 cm, in fibrous divergent, radiating aggregates or reticulated and is often found in sedimentary or lake-bed borate deposits. The Raman spectrum of meyerhofferite is dominated by intense sharp band at 880 cm(-1) assigned to the symmetric stretching mode of trigonal boron. Broad Raman bands at 1046, 1110, 1135 and 1201 cm(-1) are attributed to BOH in-plane bending modes. Raman bands in the 900-1000 cm(-1) spectral region are assigned to the antisymmetric stretching of tetrahedral boron. Distinct OH stretching Raman bands are observed at 3400, 3483 and 3608 cm(-1). The mineral meyerhofferite has a distinct Raman spectrum which is different from the spectrum of other borate minerals, making Raman spectroscopy a very useful tool for the detection of meyerhofferite in sedimentary and lake bed deposits.

Thermal analysis and vibrational spectroscopic characterization of the boro silicate mineral datolite – CaBSiO4(OH)

The objective of this work is to determine the thermal stability and vibrational spectra of datolite CaBSiO4(OH) and relate these properties to the structure of the mineral. The thermal analysis of datolite shows a mass loss of 5.83% over a 700-775°C temperature range. This mass loss corresponds to 1 water (H2O) molecules pfu. A quantitative chemical analysis using electron probe was undertaken. The Raman spectrum of datolite is characterized by bands at 917 and 1077cm(-1) assigned to the symmetric stretching modes of BO and SiO tetrahedra. A very intense Raman band is observed at 3498cm(-1) assigned to the stretching vibration of the OH units in the structure of datolite. BOH out-of-plane vibrations are characterized by the infrared band at 782cm(-1). The vibrational spectra are based upon the structure of datolite based on sheets of four- and eight-membered rings of alternating SiO4 and BO3(OH) tetrahedra with the sheets bonded together by calcium atoms.

Characterization of the sulphate mineral amarantite - using infrared, Raman spectroscopy and thermogravimetry.

The mineral amarantite Fe2(3+)(SO4)O·7H2O has been studied using a combination of techniques including thermogravimetry, electron probe analyses and vibrational spectroscopy. Thermal analysis shows decomposition steps at 77.63, 192.2, 550 and 641.4°C. The Raman spectrum of amarantite is dominated by an intense band at 1017 cm(-1) assigned to the SO4(2-) ν1 symmetric stretching mode. Raman bands at 1039, 1054, 1098, 1131, 1195 and 1233 cm(-1) are attributed to the SO4(2-) ν3 antisymmetric stretching modes. Very intense Raman band is observed at 409 cm(-1) with shoulder bands at 399, 451 and 491 cm(-1) are assigned to the ν2 bending modes. A series of low intensity Raman bands are found at 543, 602, 622 and 650 cm(-1) are assigned to the ν4 bending modes. A very sharp Raman band at 3529 cm(-1) is assigned to the stretching vibration of OH units. A series of Raman bands observed at 3025, 3089, 3227, 3340, 3401 and 3480 cm(-1) are assigned to water bands. Vibrational spectroscopy enables aspects of the molecular structure of the mineral amarantite to be ascertained.

SEM, EDS and vibrational spectroscopic study of the sulphate mineral rostite AlSO4(OH,F)·5(H2O)

We have studied the mineral rostite, a sulphate mineral of aluminium of formula AlSO4(OH,F)·5(H2O). The mineral is formed in mine dumps and wastes. Chemical analysis proves the presence of Al, F and S. A single intense band is observed at 991 cm(-1) and is assigned to the Raman active SO4(2-) ν1 symmetric stretching vibration. Low intensity Raman bands observed at 1070, 1083, 1131 and 1145 cm(-1) are assigned to the SO4(2-) ν3 antisymmetric stretching vibration. Multiple Raman and infrared bands in the OH stretching region are assigned to the stretching vibrations of water. The higher wavenumber band at ∼3400 cm(-1) may be due to the hydroxyl stretching vibrational mode. These multiple bands prove that water is involved in different molecular environments with different hydrogen bond strengths. Vibrational spectroscopy enhances our knowledge of the molecular structure of rostite.

Assessment of the Molecular Structure of an Intermediate Member of the Triplite-Zwieselite Mineral Series: A Raman and Infrared Study

ABSTRACT The mineral series triplite-zwieselite with theoretical formula (Mn2+)2(PO4)(F)-(Fe2+)2(PO4)(F) from the El Criolo granitic pegmatite, located in the Eastern Pampean Ranges of Córdoba Province, was studied using electron microprobe, thermogravimetry, and Raman and infrared spectroscopy. The analysis of the mineral provided a formula of (Fe1.00, Mn0.85, Ca0.08, Mg0.06)∑2.00(PO4)1.00(F0.80, OH0.20)∑1.00. An intense Raman band at 981 cm−1 with a shoulder at 977 cm−1 is assigned to the ν1 symmetric stretching mode. The observation of two bands for the phosphate symmetric stretching mode offers support for the concept that the phosphate units in the structure of triplite-zwieselite are not equivalent. Low-intensity Raman bands at 1012, 1036, 1071, 1087, and 1127 cm−1 are assigned to the ν3 antisymmetric stretching modes. A set of Raman bands at 572, 604, 639, and 684 cm−1 are attributed to the ν4 out-of-plane bending modes. A single intense Raman band is found at 3508 cm−1 and is assigned to the stretching vibration of hydroxyl units. Infrared bands are observed at 3018, 3125, and 3358 cm−1 and are attributed to water stretching vibrations. Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publishers online edition of Spectroscopy Letters to view the supplemental file.

Vibrational spectroscopic study of poldervaartite CaCa[SiO3(OH)(OH)]

We have studied the mineral poldervaartite CaCa[SiO3(OH)(OH)] which forms a series with its manganese analogue olmiite CaMn[SiO3(OH)](OH) using a range of techniques including scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, Raman and infrared spectroscopy. Chemical analysis shows the mineral is reasonably pure and contains only calcium and manganese with low amounts of Al and F. Thermogravimetric analysis proves the mineral decomposes at 485°C with a mass loss of 7.6% compared with the theoretical mass loss of 7.7%. A strong Raman band at 852 cm(-1) is assigned to the SiO stretching vibration of the SiO3(OH) units. Two Raman bands at 914 and 953 cm(-1) are attributed to the antisymmetric vibrations. Intense prominent peaks observed at 3487, 3502, 3509, 3521 and 3547 cm(-1) are assigned to the OH stretching vibration of the SiO3(OH) units. The observation of multiple OH bands supports the concept of the non-equivalence of the OH units. Vibrational spectroscopy enables a detailed assessment of the molecular structure of poldervaartite.