Raman Spectroscopic Study of the Molybdate Mineral Szenicsite and Comparison with Other Paragenetically Related Molybdate Minerals

Abstract

The molybdate‐bearing mineral szenicsite, Cu₃(MoO₄)(OH)₄, has been studied by Raman and infrared spectroscopy. A comparison of the Raman spectra is made with those of the closely related molybdate‐bearing minerals, wulfenite, powellite, lindgrenite, and iriginite, which show common paragenesis. The Raman spectrum of szenicsite displays an intense, sharp band at 898 cm^?1, attributed to the ν₁ symmetric stretching vibration of the MoO₄ units. The position of this particular band may be compared with the values of 871 cm^?1 for wulfenite and scheelite and 879 cm^?1 for powellite. Two Raman bands are observed at 827 and 801 cm^?1 for szenicsite, which are assigned to the ν₃(E _g ) vibrational mode of the molybdate anion. The two MO₄ ν₂ modes are observed at 349 (B _g ) and 308 cm^?1 (A _g ). The Raman band at 408 cm^?1 for szenicsite is assigned to the ν₄(E _g ) band. The Raman spectra are assigned according to a factor group analysis and are related to the structure of the minerals. The various minerals mentioned have characteristically different Raman spectra.     

First and second‐order Raman scattering of B6O

First and second‐order Raman spectra of B₆O and their dependence on the wavelength of the excitation line from IR (infrared) to deep UV (ultraviolet) has been studied. The first‐order Raman spectra contain 11 well‐resolved lines of the 12 expected modes 5 A_1g + 7 E_g (space group R‐3m, point group D_3d). The second‐order Raman spectra contains eight lines that are resolved only in the case of the 244‐nm excitation line. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The magnetic circular dichroism spectra of matrix-isolated benzene

The magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectra of the ¹ B _2u ←¹ A _1g transition of benzene in nitrogen and argon matrices at 20 K have been measured in order to obtain a spectrum devoid of hot bands and complicating rotational structure. The spectrum is dominated by three progressions of B terms, two of positive sign and one of negative. One positive progression and the negative one can be definitely assigned to the e_2g modes v ₆ and v ₉ respectively, whilst the other positive progression may be the e _2g mode v ₈. This is in marked contrast with the absorption spectra of the same matrices which reveal only a single progression built upon v ₆. The MCD spectra are nicely accounted for in terms of a magnetic mixing between the ¹ B _1u and ¹ B _2u states, the electric dipole intensity arising from the mixing in of a ¹ E _1u state via e _2g vibrational modes.     

Fine Structure of the Optical Spectrum and Multiparticle Excitations in Rb2MnCl4

Results of experimental investigations into the optical absorption spectrum of Rb₂Mn_xCd_1–x Cl₄ solid solutions corresponding to ⁶ A _1g ⁴ A _1g ⁴ E _g transitions in manganese ions are presented. The spectra were measured at variable temperatures, magnetic fields, and concentrations x. The magnetic phase transitions accompanying variations of these parameters cause considerable changes in the spectrum. The exciton and exciton-magnon bands, their cold and hot magnon analogs, and the phonon satellite bands have been detected. The specific features of the optical absorption spectrum caused by the low-dimensional magnetic order are elucidated.     

Natural halotrichites—an EDX and Raman spectroscopic study

Raman spectroscopy has been used to characterise four natural halotrichites: halotrichite FeSO₄.Al₂(SO₄)₃. 22H₂O, apjohnite MnSO₄.Al₂(SO₄)₃.22H₂O, pickingerite MgSO₄.Al₂(SO₄)₃.22H₂O and wupatkiite CoSO₄.Al₂(SO₄)₃.22H₂O. A comparison of the Raman spectra is made with the spectra of the equivalent synthetic pseudo‐alums. Energy dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDX) was used to determine the exact composition of the minerals. The Raman spectrum of apjohnite and halotrichite display intense symmetric bands at ∼985 cm⁻¹ assigned to the ν₁(SO₄)²⁻ symmetric stretching mode. For pickingerite and wupatkiite, an intense band at ∼995 cm⁻¹ is observed. A second band is observed for these minerals at 976 cm⁻¹ attributed to a water librational mode The series of bands for apjohnite at 1104, 1078 and 1054 cm⁻¹, for halotrichite at 1106, 1072 and 1049 cm⁻¹, for pickingerite at 1106, 1070 and 1049 cm⁻¹ and for wupatkiite at 1106, 1075 and 1049 cm⁻¹ are attributed to the ν₃(SO₄)²⁻ antisymmetric stretching modes of ν₃(B_g) SO₄. Raman bands at around 474, 460 and 423 cm⁻¹ are attributed to the ν₂(A_g) SO₄ mode. The band at 618 cm⁻¹ is assigned to the ν₄(B_g) SO₄ mode. The splitting of the ν₂, ν₃ and ν₄ modes is attributed to the reduction of symmetry of the SO₄ and it is proposed that the sulphate coordinates to water in the hydrated aluminium in bidentate chelation. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The magnetic circular dichroism spectrum of the 1 B 2u ←1 A 1g transition of benzene in the vapour phase

The magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectrum of the ¹ B _2u ←¹ A _1g transition of benzene has been measured in the vapour phase. Many of the bands due to transitions between single vibronic levels display A terms. It has been shown that the angular momentum arises by vibronic mixing both of the ¹ E _1u state with the ¹ B _1u state and of the ¹ E _2g states with the ¹ A _1g ground state by e _2g vibrations. The magnitudes and signs of the experimental and calculated ratios, A/D, for the A ₀ ⁰ vibronic origin are in excellent agreement. Two strong MCD progressions of opposite sign with B-term dispersion have been observed in regions of low absorption. These are identified with vibronic origins due to the v ₈ and v ₉ e _2g modes. By contrast the MCD spectrum of hexadeuterobenzene vapour has a much lower magneto-rotational strength and displays none of the striking features of the benzene MCD spectrum.     

Micro‐Raman investigation of tin dioxide nanostructured material based on annealing effect

Rutile‐structured nanocrystalline tin dioxide (SnO₂) powder was synthesized by the chemical precipitation method using the precursor SnCl₂• 5H₂O. The SnO₂ powder was annealed at different temperatures, namely, 600, 800 and 1000 °C. Micro‐Raman spectra were recorded for both the as‐grown and annealed SnO₂ nanocrystalline samples. Micro‐Raman spectral measurements on the SnO₂ nanoparticle show the first‐order Raman modes A_1g (633 cm⁻¹), E_1g (475 cm⁻¹) and B_2g (775 cm⁻¹), indicating that the grown SnO₂ belongs to the rutile structure. The first‐order A_1g mode is observed as an intense band, whereas the other two modes show low intensity. The full width at half‐maximum and band area of the Raman lines of SnO₂ nanoparticle annealed at various temperatures were calculated. The effect of high‐temperature annealing on the vibrational modes of SnO₂ was studied. The optical image of SnO₂ nanocrystalline material was used to understand the surface morphology effect. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Raman identification of lonsdaleite in Popigai impactites

Micro‐Raman spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction method (XRD) were used to characterize impact carbonaceous rocks excavated from the Popigai crater (Siberia). The deconvolution of the first‐order Raman spectra of the rocks containing different amounts of carbon phases (diamond, lonsdaleite and graphite) allowed the identification of lonsdaleite spectrum. The most intensive band at 1292–1303 cm⁻¹ was ascribed to A_1g vibration mode of lonsdaleite, whereas the less intense band at 1219–1244 cm⁻¹ was attributed, in agreement with previously reported ab initio calculations, to E_2g vibration mode. The established correlation between the intensities of Raman and XRD peaks permits a rough estimation of lonsdaleite/diamond phase ratio in the impact rocks using micro‐Raman measurements. The second‐order Raman spectra of lonsdaleite–diamond rocks were recorded. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Raman and infrared spectroscopic study of the molybdate‐containing uranyl mineral calcurmolite

Raman and infrared spectra of calcurmolite were recorded and interpreted from the uranium and molybdenum polyhedra, water molecules and hydroxyls point of view. U O bond lengths in uranyl and Mo O bond lengths in MoO₆ octahedra were calculated and O H…O bond lengths were inferred from the spectra. The mineral calcurmolite is characterised by bands assigned to the vibrations of the UO₂ units. These units provide intense Raman bands at 930, 900 and 868 and 823 cm⁻¹. These bands are attributed to the anti‐symmetric and symmetric stretching modes of the UO₂ units, respectively. Raman bands at 794, 700, 644, 378 and 354 cm⁻¹ are attributed to vibrations of the MoO₄ units. The bands at 693 and 668 cm⁻¹ are assigned to the anti‐symmetric and symmetric A_g modes of the terminal MO₂ units. Similar bands are observed at 797 and 773 cm⁻¹ for koechlinite and 798 and 775 cm⁻¹ for lindgrenite. It is probable that some of the bands in the low wavenumber region are attributable to the bending modes of MO₂ units. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Absorption spectrum of VO2+ in zinc cesium sulphate hexahydrate

Results of optical absorption spectra of VO²⁺ ion doped in zinc cesium sulphate hexahydrate are reported. The observed bands have been assigned transitions from the ground ²B_2g state to the excited ²E_g, ²B_ig and ²A_1g states. From the nature and position of the bands a successful interpretation of all observed bands could be made. The crystal field and molecular orbital coefficients are reported.     

Optical absorption and EPR studies on enargite

The behaviour of transition metal ions in enargite has been studied by electron paramagnetic resonance and absorption spectroscopy in the UV–VIS and near-IR regions. The ground state of Cu(II) ions in enargite is confirmed as ²B_1g since g₁₁>g_⊥ (2.54>2.11). Three characteristic bands observed in the optical absorption spectra at 8275, 13105 and 18420 cm^?1 are assigned to the transitions, ²B_1g→²A_1g, ²B_1g→²B₂ and ²B_1g→²E_g, respectively, of Cu(II) ion in the tetragonal field. The presence of Fe(II) bands is an evidence for iron impurities in the mineral.     

Ab initio calculation of the He2 A 1Σ u +└X 1Σ g + absorption spectrum

The absorption spectrum of helium gas near 600 Å, assigned to the A ¹Σ _u ⁺└X ¹Σ _g ⁺ transition in He₂, is calculated at 77 K. The excited state potential is taken from a recent ab initio calculation. The theoretical spectrum shows well-defined bands, corresponding to different vibration levels of the A state, with diffuse rotational structure, in agreement with experiment. Fairly good quantitative agreement with Tanaka and Yoshino's measured spectrum is obtained, except for the somewhat too large separation between calculated vibrational bands, probably due to the theoretical potential for the A state rising too steeply at small inter-nuclear separation. Rotational constants derived from the calculated and experimental spectra are in good agreement. It is shown that they are significantly smaller than actual rotational constants of the upper state.     

Fine band structure of the vibrational spectra of fullerite C<Subscript>60</Subscript> and enhancement of intermolecular interaction in high-temperature phase

The fine structure of the fundamental vibrational bands and some combination tones of fullerite C₆₀ in its IR absorption and reflection spectra, as well as in Raman spectra, has been studied. This structure is due to the overlapping components of Davydov and isotopic splittings and the removal of vibrational degeneracy with symmetry lowering. It is shown that for IR F _u (i) bands (i = 1–4) and low-frequency H _g (1) and A _g (1) bands in the Raman spectrum the splittings at room temperature exceed those for the low-temperature phase. The enhancement of intermolecular interaction at elevated temperatures is explained by the nonequilibrium vibrational excitation of the medium as a result of nonlinear interaction of vibrational modes and by the change in the electronic states.     

Spectroscopy of phonon and vibronic states of YbAl3(BO3)4 single crystal

The polarized Raman and reflection spectra of a single crystal YbAl₃(BO₃)₄ at room temperature were studied. Raman active vibrational modes A ₁, E _TO, and E _LO are identified. In the Raman spectrum, we detected an intense line at a frequency of 1018 cm⁻¹, which refers to internal vibrations of the BO₃ group and is known to be promising for use in amplifiers based on stimulated Raman scattering. From the simulation of reflection spectra by the method of dispersion analysis the frequencies of A ₂ vibrational modes were determined. Intense bands observed in the low-temperature transmission spectra in the range of f-f transitions in the Yb³⁺ ion are attributed to electron-phonon transitions. The Raman lines are compared with electron-phonon lines in the transmission spectrum.     

The revision of intermolecular interactions in 1,3‐dinitrobenzene crystal—the role of nitro groups in optical nonlinearity

Polarized Fourier transform‐infrared (FT‐IR) reflectance spectra and powder Raman spectra have been measured for 1,3‐dinitrobenzene crystal in order to revise the assignments of bands by means of the oriented gas model reinforced with quantum chemical [density functional theory (DFT)] calculations. Longitudinal optical/transverse optical (LO‐TO) splitting of some bands is observed indicating medium strong, long‐range, dipole–dipole interactions. The analysis of overtones in the polarized FT‐NIR spectra has allowed us to estimate the anharmonicity of vibrations in the crystal. The molecular motions of the nitro groups are analyzed on the basis of temperature‐dependent polycrystalline IR spectra. Based on the values of the energy difference (Δν_el) between the forbidden A_1g→B_2u transition in the benzene molecule in the gas phase and the first electronic transition in 1,3‐dinitrobenzene, it has been concluded that the intermolecular interactions are medium strong. The nitro group interactions are proposed to play the main role in the optical nonlinearity. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

π* ←π electronic transition in hydroxy-benzonitriles. I. Orthohydroxybenzonitrile

The longest wavelengthπ* ←π electronic band system of ortho-hydroxybenzonitrile vapour through the absorption technique has been reported for the first time. Assuming a planar molecular geometry in both the electronic states, the molecule is classified into aC _s point group, and the present spectrum is attributed to¹ A′ ←¹ A′ type corresponding to electric dipole forbidden transition¹ B _2u ←¹ A _1g (260 nm band system) of benzene. The most intense band at 33914 cm⁻¹ has been assigned as the 0, 0 band, and the other vibronic bands have been interpreted in terms of the excited state and a few ground state fundamentals.     

Absorption and resonance Raman spectroscopy of the 1Bu state of trans‐1,3,5‐hexatriene including vibronic coupling

The vibronic coupling between the first excited S₁ (2¹A_g) and the second excited S₂ (1¹B_u) singlet electronic states in spectroscopy of trans‐1,3,5‐hexatriene molecule is investigated on the basis of a model consisting of two electronic states coupled by two vibrational modes. Employing a perturbation theory that treats the intramolecular couplings in a perturbative manner, the absorption and resonance Raman cross sections and excitation profiles of this molecule are calculated using the time‐correlation function formalism. The non‐Condon corrections are included in evaluation of cross sections. The multidimensional time‐domain integrals that arise in these calculations have been evaluated for the case in which S₀ (1¹A_g) S₂ (1¹B_u) electronic transition takes place between displaced and distorted harmonic potential energy surfaces. The calculated spectra are in good agreement with the experimental ones. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Atypical intensity distribution in the Raman spectrum of 9,10-anthraquinone

The structure, the frequencies of the normal vibrations, and the absolute intensities of the bands in the IR and Raman spectra of 9,10-anthraquinone and its four symmetrical isotopomers are calculated in terms of the DFT/B3LYP method with the 6-31G(d) basis set. The effective harmonic force field of 9,10-anthraquinone is found by the Pulay method. A technique for directly obtaining the effective force fields without using experimental data on the frequencies of fundamental vibrations is proposed. An atypical intensity distribution in the Raman spectrum of 9,10-anthraquinone between two totally symmetric A _g and two nontotally symmetric B _3g vibrations is found. A new interpretation of these four experimentally observed vibrational Raman bands is proposed.     

Spectral study of reactions involving organic vapours and the pink afterglow of nitrogen

Chemiluminescent reactions resulting from addition of C₂H₂ and BrCN to nitrogen showing a pink afterglow have been investigated. The spectra show CN(B→A), CN(B→X), CN(A→X), and N₂(IIP) bands. The CN(B→X) bands are intense and exhibit abnormal rotational distributions with two rotational temperatures (T₁ = 2400°K, T₂ = 400°K). New perturbations and high-J rotational lines are reported. Comparisons of intensities of bands of the CN(B→A) and (B→X) systems yield 1:80 as the ratio of electronic transition probabilities for the two systems.     

Electronic absorption spectrum of Ni2+ in lithium potassium sulphate single crystal

Single crystals of nickel-doped lithium potassium sulphate were grown by slow evaporation method at room temperature. From the nature and position of the bands observed, a successful interpretation of all the bands could be made assumingO _h symmetry for the Ni²⁺ ion in the crystal. The bands have been assigned transitions from the ground³A_2g(F) state to the excited³T_2g(F),¹E_g(D),³T_1g(F),¹T_2g(D) and³T_1g(P) states. The crystal field parameters derived areDq=910cm^–1,B=890cm^–1 andC=3560cm^–1.The authors wish to express their thanks to Prof. K. Sreerama Murthy for his constant encouragement throughout this investigation. The authors are also thankful to Prof. Mihir Chowdhury, Indian Association for the cultivation of Science, Calcutta for giving permission to take the spectra.