A vibrational spectroscopic study of plancheite Cu 8Si 8O 22(OH) 4-H2O

Planchéite Cu8Si8O22(OH)4•H2O is a hydrated copper hydroxy silicate. The objective of this work is to use Raman and infrared spectroscopy to determine the molecular structure of planchéite. Raman bands of planchéite at around 1048, 1081 and 1127 are described as the ν1 –SiO3 symmetric stretching vibrations; Raman bands at 828, 906 are attributed to the ν3 –SiO3 antisymmetric stretching vibrations. The Raman band at 699 cm-1 is assigned to the ν4 bending modes of the -SiO3 units. The intense Raman band at 3479 cm-1 is ascribed to the stretching vibration of the OH units. The Raman band at 3250 cm-1 is evidence for water in the structure. A comparison of the spectra of planchéite with that of shattuckite and chrysocolla

The molecular structure of the multianion mineral hidalgoite PbAl3(AsO4)(SO4)(OH)6 - Implications for arsenic removal from soils

The objective of this research is to determine the molecular structure of the mineral hidalgoite PbAl3(AsO4)(SO4)(OH)6 using vibrational spectroscopy. The mineral is found in old mine sites. Observed bands are assigned to the stretching and bending vibrations of (SO4)2- and (AsO4)3- units, stretching and bending vibrations of hydrogen bonded (OH)- ions and Al3+-(O,OH) units. The approximate range of O-H...O hydrogen bond lengths is inferred from the Raman and infrared spectra. Values of 2.6989 Å, 2.7682 Å, 2.8659 Å were obtained. The formation of hidalgoite may offer a mechanism for the removal of arsenic from the environment

Raman spectroscopic study of the mineral xonotlite Ca6Si6O17(OH)2 - A component of plaster boards

The mineral xonotlite Ca 6Si 6O 17(OH) 2 is a crystalline calcium silicate hydrate which is widely used in plaster boards and in many industrial applications. The structure of xonotlite is best described as having a dreierdoppelketten silicate structure, and describes the repeating silicate trimer which forms the silicate chains, and doppel indicating that two chains combine. Raman bands at 1042 and 1070 cm -1 are assigned to the SiO stretching vibrations of linked units of Si 4O 11 units. Raman bands at 961 and 980 cm -1 serve to identify Si 3O 10 units. The broad Raman band at 862 cm -1 is attributed to hydroxyl deformation modes. Intense Raman bands at 593 and 695 cm -1 are assigned to OSiO bending vibrations. Intense Raman bands at 3578, 3611, 3627 and 3665 cm -1 are assigned to OH stretching vibrations of the OH units in xonotlite. Infrared spectra are in harmony with the Raman spectra. Raman spectroscopy with complimentary infrared spectroscopy enables the characterisation of the building material xonotlite

TEM, XRD, and Thermal Stability of Adsorbed Paranitrophenol on DDOAB Organoclay

Water purification is of extreme importance to modern society. Organoclays through adsorption of recalcitrant organics provides one mechanism for the removal of these molecules. The organoclay was synthesised through ion exchange with dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide labeled as DDOAB of formula (CH3(CH2)17)2NBr(CH3)2. Paranitrophenol was adsorbed on the organoclay at a range of concentrations according to the cation exchange capacity (CEC) of the host montmorillonite. The paranitrophenol in solution was analysed by a UV-260 spectrophotometer at 317nm, with detection limits being 0.05mg/L. The expansion of the montmorillonite was studied by a combination of X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Upon adsorption of the paranitrophenol the basal spacing decreased. The thermal stability of the organoclay was determined by a combination of thermogravimetry and infrared emission spectroscopy. The surfactant molecule DDOAB combusts at 166, 244 and 304 degrees Celsius and upon intercalation into Na-montmorillonite is retained up to 389 degrees Celsius thus showing the organoclay is stable to significantly high temperatures well above the combustion/decomposition temperature of the organoclay

Infrared and Raman spectroscopic characterization of the arsenate mineral ceruleite Cu2Al7(AsO4)4(OH)13 11.5(H2O).

The molecular structure of the arsenate mineral ceruleite has been assessed using a combination of Raman and infrared spectroscopy. The most intense band observed at 903 cm^-1 is assigned to the (AsO4)^3- symmetric stretching vibrational mode. The infrared spectrum shows intense bands at 787, 827 and 886 cm^-1, ascribed to the triply degenerate m3 antisymmetric stretching vibration. Raman bands observed at 373, 400, 417 and 430 cm^-1 are attributed to the m2 vibrational mode. Three broad bands for ceruleite found at 3056, 3198 and 3384 cm^-1 are assigned to water OH stretching bands. By using a Libowitzky empirical equation, hydrogen bond distances of 2.65 and 2.75 Å are calculated. Vibrational spectra enable the molecular structure of the ceruleite mineral to be determined and whilst similarities exist in the spectral patterns with the roselite mineral group, sufficient differences exist to be able to determine the identification of the minerals

A vibrational spectroscopic study of the copper bearing silicate mineral luddenite.

The molecular structure of the copper?lead silicate mineral luddenite has been analysed using vibrational spectroscopy. The mineral is only one of many silicate minerals containing copper. The intense Raman band at 978 cm 1 is assigned to the m1 (A1g) symmetric stretching vibration of Si5O14 units. Raman bands at 1122, 1148 and 1160 cm 1 are attributed to the m3 SiO4 antisymmetric stretching vibrations. The bands in the 678?799 cm 1 are assigned to OSiO bending modes of the (SiO3)n chains. Raman bands at 3317 and 3329 cm 1 are attributed to water stretching bands. Bands at 3595 and 3629 cm 1 are associated with the stretching vibrations of hydroxyl units suggesting that hydroxyl units exist in the structure of luddenite

Raman spectroscopy of the arsenate minerals maxwellite and in comparison with tilasite.

Maxwellite NaFe3+(AsO4)F is an arsenate mineral containing fluoride and forms a continuous series with tilasite CaMg(AsO4)F. Both maxwellite and tilasite form a continuous series with durangite NaAl3+(AsO4)- F. We have used the combination of scanning electron microscopy with EDS and vibrational spectroscopy to chemically analyse the mineral maxwellite and make an assessment of the molecular structure. Chemical analysis shows that maxwellite is composed of Fe, Na and Ca with minor amounts of Mn and Al. Raman bands for tilasite at 851 and 831 cm_1 are assigned to the Raman active m1 symmetric stretching vibration (A1) and the Raman active triply degenerate m3 antisymmetric stretching vibration (F2). The Raman band of maxwellite at 871 cm_1 is assigned to the m1 symmetric stretching vibration and the Raman band at 812 cm_1 is assigned to the m3 antisymmetric stretching vibration. The intense Raman band of tilasite at 467 cm_1 is assigned to the Raman active triply degenerate m4 bending vibration (F2). Raman band at 331 cm_1 for tilasite is assigned to the Raman active doubly degenerate m2 symmetric bending vibration (E). Both Raman and infrared spectroscopy do not identify any bands in the hydroxyl stretching region as is expected

The molecular structure of the phosphate mineral senegalite Al2(PO4)(OH)3-3H2O - a vibrational spectroscopic study.

We have studied the mineral senagalite, a hydrated hydroxy phosphate of aluminium with formula Al2(-PO4)(OH)3_3H2O using a combination of electron microscopy and vibrational spectroscopy. Senegalite crystal aggregates shows tabular to prismatic habitus and orthorhombic form. The Raman spectrum is dominated by an intense band at 1029 cm_1 assigned to the PO3_ 4 m1 symmetric stretching mode. Intense Raman bands are found at 1071 and 1154 cm_1 with bands of lesser intensity at 1110, 1179 and 1206 cm_1 and are attributed to the PO3_ 4 m3 antisymmetric stretching vibrations. The infrared spectrum shows complexity with a series overlapping bands. A comparison is made with spectra of other aluminium containing phosphate minerals such as augelite and turquoise. Multiple bands are observed for the phosphate bending modes giving support for the reduction of symmetry of the phosphate anion. Vibrational spectroscopy offers a means for the assessment of the structure of senagalite

The molecular structure of the borate mineral inderite Mg(H4B3O7)(OH)-5H2O - a vibrational spectroscopic study.

We have undertaken a study of the mineral inderite Mg(H4B3O7)(OH)_5H2O a hydrated hydroxy borate mineral of magnesium using scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetry and vibrational spectroscopic techniques. The structure consists of ?B3O3?OH?5_2_ soroborate groups and Mg(OH)2(H2O)4 octahedra interconnected into discrete molecules by the sharing of two OH groups. Thermogravimetry shows a mass loss of 47.2% at 137.5 _C, proving the mineral is thermally unstable. Raman bands at 954, 1047 and 1116 cm_1 are assigned to the trigonal symmetric stretching mode. The two bands at 880 and 916 cm_1 are attributed to the symmetric stretching mode of the tetrahedral boron. Both the Raman and infrared spectra of inderite show complexity. Raman bands are observed at 3052, 3233, 3330, 3392 attributed to water stretching vibrations and 3459 cm_1 with sharper bands at 3459, 3530 and 3562 cm_1 assigned to OH stretching vibrations. Vibrational spectroscopy is used to assess the molecular structure of inderite