Vibrational spectroscopy of the sorosilicate mineral hemimorphite Zn4(OH)2Si2O7 · H2O

Raman spectroscopy complimented by infrared spectroscopy has been used to study the mineral hemimorphite from different origins. The Raman spectra show consistently similar spectra with only one sample showing additional bands due to the presence of smithsonite. Raman bands observed at 3510–3565 and 3436–3455 cm⁻¹ are assigned to OH stretching vibrations. Using a Libowitzky type formula, these OH bands provide hydrogen bond distances of 0.2910, 0.2825, 0.2762 and 0.2716 pm. Water bending modes are observed in the Raman spectrum at 1633 cm⁻¹. An intense Raman band at 930 cm⁻¹ is attributed to SiO symmetric stretching vibration of the Si₂O₇ units. Raman bands observed at 451 and 400 cm⁻¹are attributed to out-of-plane bending vibrations of the Si₂O₇ units. Raman bands at 330, 280, 168 and 132 cm⁻¹ are assigned to ZnO and OZnO vibrations.     

The structure of mimetite,arsenian pyromorphite and hedyphane – A Raman spectroscopic study

The minerals mimetite Pb₅(AsO₄)₃Cl, arsenian pyromorphite Pb₅(PO₄,AsO₄)₃Cl and hedyphane Pb₃Ca₂(AsO₄)₃Cl have been studied by Raman spectroscopy complimented with infrared spectroscopy. Mimetite is characterised by a band at 812–3 cm⁻¹ attributed to the A_g mode. For the arsenian pyromorphite this band is observed at 818 cm⁻¹ and for hedyphane at 819 cm⁻¹. For mimetite and hedyphane bands at 788 and 765 cm⁻¹ are attributed to A_u and E_1u vibrational modes and are both Raman and infrared active. For the arsenian pyromorphite, Raman bands at 917–1014 cm⁻¹ are attributed to phosphate stretching vibrations. Raman spectroscopy clearly identifies bands attributable to isomorphous substitution of arsenate by phosphate. The observation of low intensity bands in the 3200–3550 cm⁻¹ region are assigned to adsorbed water and OH units, thus indicating some replacement of chloride ions with hydroxyl ions.     

Ultrasound assisted ambient temperature synthesis of ternary oxide AgMO2 (M=Fe, Ga)

The application of ultrasound for the synthesis of ternary oxide AgMO₂ (M=Fe, Ga) was investigated. Crystalline α-AgFeO₂ was obtained from the alkaline solutions of silver and iron hydroxides by sonication for 40 minutes. α-AgFeO₂ was found to absorb optical radiation in the 300-600 nm range as shown by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The Raman spectrum of α-AgFeO₂ exhibited two bands at 345 and 638 cm⁻¹. When β-NaFeO₂ was sonicated with aqueous silver nitrate solution for 60 minutes, β-AgFeO₂ possessing orthorhombic structure was obtained as the ion-exchanged product. The Raman spectrum of β-AgFeO₂ showed four strong bands at 295, 432, 630 and 690 cm⁻¹. Sonication of β-NaGaO₂ with aqueous silver nitrate solution for 60 minutes resulted in olive green colored, α-AgGaO₂. The diffuse reflectance spectrum and the EDX analysis confirmed that the ion-exchange through sonication was complete. The Raman spectrum of α-AgGaO₂ had weak bands at 471 and 650 cm⁻¹.     

Cation distribution and particle size effect on Raman spectrum of CoFe2O4

Mössbauer and Raman spectroscopic studies were carried out on CoFe₂O₄ particles synthesized with size ranging from 6 to 500 nm (bulk). Cation distribution studies were carried out on the high temperature and room temperature phases of the microcrystalline CoFe₂O₄ by Mössbauer and Raman spectroscopic methods. The high temperature phase of CoFe₂O₄ showed a decreased inversion parameter of 0.69 as compared to the value of the room temperature phase of 0.95, indicating that the structure gradually transforms towards a normal spinel. Corresponding Raman spectra for these two phases of CoFe₂O₄ showed a change in relative peak intensity of the vibrational mode at 695 cm⁻¹(A_1g(1)) to 624 cm⁻¹ (A_1g(2)). The relative peak intensity ratio, I_v between the A_1g(1) and A_1g(2) vibrational mode was decreasing with lowering of inversion parameter of the CoFe₂O₄ spinel system. A variation of laser power on the sample surface was reflected in the cation distribution in ferrite phase. Superparamagnetic, single domain CoFe₂O₄ particles (6 nm) showed a 20 cm⁻¹ red shift and broadening of phonon modes when compared to the macro-crystalline CoFe₂O₄ (500 nm). Variation of Raman shift with particle size was studied by considering the bond polarization model. Raman spectroscopic studies clearly indicate the variation in the cation distribution in nano-sized particles and distribution tending to a normal spinel structural configuration.     

Structure and Raman scattering study on Ba8GaxSi46−x (x=10 and 16) type I clathrates

Structure and vibrational properties of Ba₈Ga_xSi_46−x (x=10 and 16) clathrates were studied by X-ray diffraction and Raman scattering measurements. The temperature dependent electrical resistivity measurement on Ba₈Ga₁₀Si₃₆ has shown semiconducting nature of that clathrate with an energy band gap value of 0.31 eV. On the other hand the measurement on Ba₈Ga₁₆Si₃₀ has shown metallic like electrical conductivity of that clathrate. The origin of semiconductivity in Ba₈Ga₁₀Si₃₆ was found to be due to the vacancy disorder in the framework sites. Room temperature Raman scattering measurements resolved several Raman vibrational modes, including low frequencies ones corresponding to the rattling motion of Ba atoms. The low frequency positions of Ba in the respective clathrates at 49.4, 73.7 and 97.3 cm⁻¹ for Ba₈Ga₁₀Si₃₆ and at 43.7, 74.5 and 92.4 cm⁻¹ for Ba₈Ga₁₆Si₃₀ were found to be in agreement with the reported density functional (DF) calculated low frequency modes of Ba₈Ga₁₆Si₃₀. The framework gallium difference and vacancy disorders were found to influence the position and widths of frequency modes. Room temperature lattice thermal conductivity of Ba₈Ga₁₀Si₃₆ and Ba₈Ga₁₆Si₃₀ were 1.128 and 1.071 Wm⁻¹ K⁻¹, respectively, and this low value was attributed to the resonant scattering between the framework acoustic and Ba rattling modes.     

K2Ca6Si4O15—structural and spectroscopical studies on a mixed tetrahedral-octahedral framework

In the course of an excursion into the system K₂O-CaO-SiO₂, single crystalline material of the previously unknown compound K₂Ca₆Si₄O₁₅ has been obtained. Single crystal X-ray diffraction experiments revealed that the new phase is monoclinic (space group P12/c1) with the following basic crystallographic data: a=7.3782(8) Å, b=5.5677(5) Å, c=17.2466(17) Å, β=90.005(8)°, Z=2. According to Liebau's nomenclature, the compound can be classified as a mixed anion silicate containing insular [SiO₄]-groups as well as [Si₂O₇]-dimers in the ratio 2:1, i.e. the crystallochemical formula can be written as K₂Ca₆[SiO₄]₂[Si₂O₇]. The silicate anions are linked by K- and Ca-ions distributed among five different non-tetrahedral M-positions and coordinated by six to eight nearest oxygen neighbors. Alternatively, the structure can be described as a heteropolyhedral framework built up by kröhnkite-type [M(SiO₄)₂O₂]-chains in which the MO₆ octahedra are corner-linked to bridging SiO₄ tetrahedra. The chains (running parallel to [0 1 0]) are located in 4.6 Å wide layers parallel to (1 0 0). Neighboring sheets are shifted relative to each other by an amount of +δ or −δ along [0 0 1]. In the derived two layer …ABABAB… stacking sequence, chains belonging to adjacent sheets are linked by corner sharing of common oxygen atoms. The resulting network contains tunnels in which the more irregularly coordinated K- and Ca-ions are incorporated for charge compensation. A comparison between the present compound and structurally related mixed tetrahedral-octahedral frameworks is given. The characterization has been completed by Raman and FTIR-spectroscopy. An allocation of the bands to certain vibrational species has been aided by density functional theory (DFT) calculations.     

Lithium conductivity in an Li-bearing double-ring silicate mineral, sogdianite

The crystal structure of an Li-bearing double-ring silicate mineral, sogdianite ((Zr_1.18Fe³⁺_0.55Ti_0.24Al_0.03)(?_1.64,Na_0.36)K_0.85[Li₃Si₁₂O₃₀], P6/mcc, a≈10.06 Å, c≈14.30 Å, Z=2), was investigated by neutron powder diffraction from 300 up to 1273 K. Rietveld refinements of displacement parameters revealed high anisotropic Li motions perpendicular to the crystallographic c-axis, indicating an exchange process between tetrahedral T2 and octahedral A sites. AC impedance spectra of a sogdianite single crystal (0.04×0.09×0.25 cm³) show that the material is an ionic conductor with conductivity values of σ=4.1×10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹ at 923 K and 1.2×10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ at 1219 K perpendicular to the c-axis, involving two relaxation processes with activation energies of 1.26(3) and 1.08(3) eV, respectively.     

Vibrational spectroscopic properties of botallackite-structure basic copper halides

Mid-infrared (4000-400 cm⁻¹) absorption and Raman (4000-95 cm⁻¹) spectra of the series of geometrically frustrated materials, botallackite-structure basic copper halides, α-Cu₂(OH)₃Cl and α-Cu₂(OH)₃Br polycrystalline samples were first, to the best of our knowledge, measured, respectively, to study the corresponding relationship between their vibrational spectral properties and crystal microstructures. Through the comparative analysis to the four spectra, the authors have definitely assigned or tentatively suggested the vibrational modes of hydroxyl groups in the trimeric hydrogen bond environment (OH)₃ Cl/Br, and atomic units O-Cu-O, Cu-O and Cl/Br-Cu-Cl/Br, etc. These results can be propitious to the low temperature spectral property of α-Cu₂(OH)₃Cl and α-Cu₂(OH)₃Br which must help to understand the underlying physics of their exotic geometric frustration phenomena at low temperatures.     

Ca3−xLaxCo4O9+δ (x=0, 0.3): New cobaltite materials as cathodes for proton conducting solid oxide fuel cell

Misfit-type Ca_3−xLa_xCo₄O_9+δ (x=0, 0.3) oxides were synthesised to be evaluated as possible cathode materials for proton conducting fuel cells (PCFCs) based on BaCe_0.9Y_0.1O_3−δ (BCY10) dense ceramic electrolyte. The electrical conductivity value of Ca_2.7La_0.3Co₄O_9+δ (σ≈53 S cm^-1 at 600 °C) is in the range of usually required value for a cathode application (about 50-100 S cm^-1). In order to test the performance of each compound as cathode material, impedance measurements were carried out on Ca_3−xLa_xCo₄O_9+δ/BaCe_0.9Y_0.1O_3−δ/Ca_3−xLa_xCo₄O_9+δ symmetrical half cells over the temperature range 400-800 °C under wet air. A promising electrocatalytic activity has been observed with both compounds Ca₃Co₄O_9+δ and Ca_2.7La_0.3Co₄O_9+δ. Factually, the area specific resistance obtained was about 2.2 Ω cm² at 600 °C.     

Application of manganese (II) phthalocyanine synthesized in situ in the SiO2/SnO2 mixed oxide matrix for determination of dissolved oxygen by electrochemical techniques

This work describes the in situ immobilization of Mn(II) phthalocyanine (MnPc) in a porous SiO₂/SnO₂ mixed oxide matrix obtained by the sol gel processing method. The chemically modified matrix SiO₂/SnO₂/MnPc, possessing an estimated amount of 8 × 10⁻¹⁰ mol cm⁻² of MnPc on the surface, was used to prepare an electrode to analyze dissolved oxygen in water by an electrochemical technique. The electrode was prepared by mixing the material with ultrapure graphite and evaluated using differential pulse voltammetry. Dissolved O₂ was reduced at −0.31 V with a limit of detection (LOD) equal to 7.0 × 10⁻⁴ mmol L⁻¹. A mechanism involving four electrons in O₂ reduction was determined by the rotating disk electrode technique.     

Synthesis of Fe3O4\SiO2\Ag nanoparticles and its application in surface-enhanced Raman scattering

To obtain a recyclable surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) material, we developed a composite of Fe₃O₄\SiO₂\Ag with core\shell\particles structure. The designed particles were synthesized via an ultrasonic route. The Raman scattering signal of Fe₃O₄ could be shielded by increasing the thickness of the SiO₂ layer to 60 nm. Dye rhodamine B (RB) was chosen as probe molecule to test the SERS effect of the synthesized Fe₃O₄\SiO₂\Ag particles. On the synthesized Fe₃O₄\SiO₂\Ag particles, the characteristic Raman bands of RB could be observed when the RB solution was diluted to 5 ppm (1×10⁻⁵ M). Furthermore, the synthesized particles could keep their efficiency till four cycles.     

Minerals from Macedonia: XVII. Vibrational spectra of some common appearing amphiboles

The vibrational (infrared and Raman) spectroscopy is used in order to identify and characterize the following amphibole minerals with general formula W_0–1X₂Y₅Z₈O₂₂(OH)₂ (W = Na, K; X = Na, Ca; Y = Mg, Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, Al; Z = Si, Al) originating from the localities in the Republic of Macedonia: glaucophane, Na₂(Mg,Fe²⁺)₃(Fe³⁺,Al)₂Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂; tremolite–actinolite, Ca₂(Mg,Fe²⁺)₅Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂; hornblende (Na,K)_0–1Ca₂(Mg,Fe²⁺,Fe³⁺,Al)₅(Si,Al)₈ O₂₂(OH)₂ and arfvedsonite, NaNa₂(Mg,Fe²⁺)₄(Fe³⁺,Al)Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂. The chemical composition of these minerals is not necessarily fixed. It is due to the possibility to form solid solution series with other minerals being their end-members (for example, tremolite–ferro-actinolite series, Ca₂Mg₅Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂–Ca₂Fe²⁺₅Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂). In this context, it is shown that the intensity and especially the number of the IR bands in the ν(OH) region could serve as a tool for exact mineral identification. Namely, it is based on the presence of different Y cations in various octahedral sites (M1 and M3), which is manifested by different spectral view. On the other hand, the expressed similarities in the 1300–370 cm⁻¹ (IR) and 1200–100 cm⁻¹ regions (Raman) of the spectra are observed due to their common structural characteristics (double chains of SiO₄ tetrahedra). Thus, the bands in this region are tentatively prescribed mostly to the vibrations of the SiO₄ tetrahedra. The results of our study are compared with the corresponding literature data for the analogous mineral species originating all over the world.     

Aurichalcite – An SEM and Raman spectroscopic study

Raman spectroscopy complimented with supplementary infrared spectroscopy has been used to characterise the vibrational spectrum of aurichalcite a zinc/copper hydroxy carbonate (Zn,Cu²⁺)₅(CO₃)₂(OH)₆. XRD patterns of all specimens show high orientation and indicate the presence of some impurities such as rosasite and hydrozincite. However, the diffraction patterns for all samples are well correlated to the standard reference patterns. SEM images show highly crystalline and ordered structures in the form of micron long fibres and plates. EDAX analyses indicate variations in chemical composition of Cu/Zn ratios ranging from 1/1.06 to 1/2.87. The symmetry of the carbonate anion in aurichalcite is C_s and is composition dependent. This symmetry reduction results in multiple bands in both the symmetric stretching and bending regions. The intense band at 1072 cm⁻¹ is assigned to the ν₁(CO₃)²⁻ symmetric stretching mode. Three Raman bands assigned to the ν₃(CO₃)²⁻ antisymmetric stretching modes are observed for aurichalcite at 1506, 1485 and 1337 cm⁻¹. Multiple Raman bands are observed in 800–850 cm⁻¹ and 720–750 cm⁻¹ regions and are attributed to ν₂ and ν₄ bending modes confirming the reduction of the carbonate anion symmetry in the aurichalcite structure. An intense Raman band at 1060 cm⁻¹ is attributed to the δ OH deformation mode.     

Vibrational spectra and reinvestigation of the crystal structure of a polymeric copper(II)-orotate complex, [Cu(μ-HOr)(H2O)2]n: The performance of new DFT methods, M06 and M05-2X, in theoretical studies

The crystal and molecular structure of a polymeric Cu(II)-orotate complex, [Cu(μ-HOr)(H₂O)₂]_n, has been reinvestigated by single crystal X-ray diffraction. It is shown that several synergistic interactions: two axial Cu-O interactions; intramolecular and intermolecular hydrogen bonds; and π-π stacking between the uracil rings contribute to the stability of the crystal structure. The Raman and FT-IR spectra of the title complex are reported for the first time. Comprehensive theoretical studies have been performed by using three unrestricted DFT methods: B3LYP; and the recently developed M06, and M05-2X density functionals. Clear-cut assignments of all the bands in the vibrational spectra have been made on the basis of the calculated potential energy distribution, PED. The very strong Raman band at 1219 cm⁻¹ is diagnostic for the N1-deprotonation of the uracil ring and formation of the copper-nitrogen bond, in this complex. The Cu-O (carboxylate) stretching vibration is observed at 287 cm⁻¹ in the IR spectrum, while the Cu-N (U ring) stretching vibration is assigned to the strong Raman band at 263 cm⁻¹. The molecular structure and vibrational spectra (frequencies and intensities) calculated by the M06 functional method are very similar to the results obtained by the B3LYP method, but M06 performs better than B3LYP in calculations of the geometrical parameters and vibrational frequencies of the interligand O-H?O hydrogen bonding. Unfortunately, the M05-2X method seriously overestimates the strength of interligand hydrogen bond.     

Application of UV–Vis,near-infrared and mid-infrared spectroscopy to the study of Mn-bearing humites

The combination of electronic and vibrational spectra has been applied to correlate the spectral properties, with composition, structure and cation substitutions such as Mn, Fe, Ca and Zn for Mg in humites: norbergite, alleghanyite, leucophoenicite and sonolite with increasing number of silicate layers, 1, 2, 3 and 4. The observation of two broad bands in the visible range, near 550 and 450 nm (18 180 and 22 220 cm⁻¹) and one sharp band around 410 nm (24 390 cm⁻¹) is characteristic of Mn²⁺ in alleghanyite and leucophoenicite. The study of UV–Vis (electronic) spectral features confirms Mn as a major substituent in these two samples. Cation impurities like Zn and Ca as revealed from EDX analysis might be the cause for the absence of Mn-type spectrum in sonolite. The first observation is the near-infrared spectra of all four minerals in the first fundamental overtone OH-stretching mode are different and each mineral is characterized by its NIR spectrum. The feature in the range 7180–6600 cm⁻¹ [1393–1515 nm or 1.39–1.52 μm] corresponds to the overtones of OH stretching vibrational modes of the humite groups observed in their IR spectra over the range, 3680–3320 cm⁻¹. The infrared spectra of the hydrous components of OH and SiO₄ groups in the mineral structure act as an aid to distinguish the minerals of the humite mineral group. A band at 541 cm⁻¹ is assigned to MnO stretching mode.     

Crystallization of niobium germanosilicate glasses

Niobium germanosilicate glasses are potential candidates for the fabrication of transparent glass ceramics with interesting non-linear optical properties. A series of glasses in the (Ge,Si)O₂-Nb₂O₅-K₂O system were prepared by melting and casting and their characteristic temperatures were determined by differential thermal analysis. Progressive replacement of GeO₂ by SiO₂ improved the thermal stability of the glasses. Depending on the composition and the crystallization heat-treatment, different nanocrystalline phases—KNbSi₂O₇, K₃Nb₃Si₂O₁₃ and K_3.8Nb₅Ge₃O_20.4 could be obtained. The identification and characterization of these phases were performed by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy.The 40 GeO₂-10 SiO₂-25 Nb₂O₅-25 K₂O (mol%) composition presented the higher ability for volume crystallization and its nucleation temperature was determined by the Marotta's method. An activation energy for crystal growth of ∼529 kJ/mol and a nucleation rate of 9.7×10¹⁸ m⁻³ s⁻¹ was obtained, for this composition. Transparent glass ceramics with a crystalline volume fraction of ∼57% were obtained after a 2 h heat-treatment at the nucleation temperature, with crystallite sizes of ∼20 nm as determined by transmission electron microscopy.     

Luminescence enhancement of Eu, Ce co-doped Ba3Si5O13−δNδ phosphors

Host lattice Ba₃Si₅O_13−δN_δ oxonitridosilicates have been synthesized by the traditional solid state reaction method. The lattice structure is based on layers of vertex-linked SiO₄ tetrahedrons and Ba²⁺ ions, where each Ba²⁺ ion is coordinated by eight oxygen atoms forming distorted square antiprisms. Under an excitation wavelength of 365 nm, Ba₃Si₅O_13−δN_δ:Eu²⁺ and Ba₃Si₅O_13−δN_δ:Eu²⁺,Ce³⁺ show broad emission bands from about 400-620 nm, with maxima at about 480 nm and half-peak width of around 130 nm. The emission intensity is strongly enhanced by co-doping Ce³⁺ ions into the Ba₃Si₅O_13−δN_δ:Eu²⁺ phosphor, which could be explained by energy transfer. The excitation band from the near UV to the blue light region confirms the possibility that Ba₃Si₅O_13−δN_δ:Eu²⁺, Ce³⁺ could be used as a phosphor for white LEDs.     

Structural, microstructural and vibrational characterization of apatite-type lanthanum silicates prepared by mechanical milling

Apatite-type lanthanum silicates have been successfully prepared at room temperature by dry milling hexagonal A-La₂O₃ and either amorphous or low cristobalite SiO₂. Milling a stochiometric mixture of these chemicals in a planetary ball mill with a moderate rotating disc speed (350 rpm), allows the formation of the target phase after only 3 h although longer milling times are needed to eliminate all SiO₂ and La₂O₃ traces. Thus, the mechanically activated chemical reaction proceeds faster when using amorphous silica instead of low cristobalite as silicon source and pure phases are obtained after only 9 and 18 h, respectively. As obtained powder phases are not amorphous and show an XRD pattern as well as IR and Raman bands characteristic of the lanthanum silicate. The domain size of the as-prepared phases varies gradually with the temperature of post-milling thermal treatment with activation energies of about 26(8) and 52(10) kJ mol⁻¹ K⁻¹ for the apatites obtained from amorphous silica and low-cristobalite, respectively. These values suggest crystallite growth to be favored when using amorphous silica as reactant.     

Raman spectroscopy of arsenolite: crystalline cubic As4O6

The complete Raman spectrum of arsenolite, cubic crystalline As₄O₆, is reported for the first time. The previously unseen E_g mode has been found at 443 cm⁻¹. Further, there is additional support for the assignment of the 415 cm⁻¹ mode as T_2g.     

Structure and oxide anion conductivity in Ln2(TO4)O (Ln=La, Nd; T=Ge, Si)

Oxy-silicate and oxy-germanate, Ln₂(TO₄)O (Ln=La and Nd, T=Ge and Si) compounds have been prepared. Oxy-germanates can be readily obtained as highly crystalline single phases, while, the oxy-silicates are difficult to prepare as pure phases. The crystal structure of Nd₂(SiO₄)O has been studied from a joint Rietveld refinement of neutron and laboratory X-ray powder diffraction data. The electrochemical characterisation indicates that these compounds display oxide anion conductivity with p-type electronic contribution under oxidising conditions. The apparent activation energies under dry flowing nitrogen, where p-type contribution is minimised, are 0.97(1), 1.05(3) and 1.17(4) eV, for Nd₂(SiO₄)O, La₂(GeO₄)O and Nd₂(GeO₄)O, respectively. The overall conductivities at 1173 K range from 1.2×10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ for Nd₂(SiO₄)O to 1.3×10⁻⁶ S cm⁻¹ for La₂(GeO₄)O. Finally, the stability of these compounds under very reducing conditions has been studied and partial degradation is reported.