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.     

A Raman spectroscopic study of the phosphate mineral pyromorphite Pb5(PO4)3Cl

A series of selected pyromorphite minerals Pb₅(PO₄)₃Cl from different Australian localities has been studied by Raman spectroscopy complemented with selected infrared spectroscopy. The Raman spectrum of unsubstituted pyromorphite shows a single band at around 920 cm⁻¹ but for the natural minerals two bands at 919 and ∼932 cm⁻¹ attributed to the ν₁ (PO₄)³⁻ stretching vibration. The observation of multiple bands is attributed to the non-equivalence of phosphate units in the pyromorphite structure and the reduction in symmetry of the (PO₄)³⁻ units. This symmetry reduction is confirmed by the observation of multiple bands in both the ν₄ bending region (500–595 cm⁻¹) and the ν₂ bending region (350–500 cm⁻¹). The presence of isomorphic substitution of (PO₄)³⁻ by (AsO₄)³⁻ units is identified by the ν₁ symmetric stretching bands at around 824 and 851 cm⁻¹ and the ν₂ bending region around 331 and 354 cm⁻¹. Contrary to expectation Raman bands in the 3320–3700 cm⁻¹ region are observed and assigned to OH stretching bands of OH units resulting from the substitution of chloride anions in the pyromorphite structure. This study brings in to question the actual formula of natural pyromorphite as it is better represented as Pb₅(PO₄,AsO₄)₃(Cl,OH) · xH₂O.     

Vibrational spectra of α-Ge(HPO4)2·H2O compound

We have measured Raman and infrared spectra of α-Ge(HPO₄)₂·H₂O compound at room temperature. The analysis of vibrational modes indicated the presence of two non-equivalent HPO₄²⁻ units in agreement with ³¹P nuclear magnetic resonance measurements. A tentative assignment of all the observed modes is proposed based on the previous works reported for other hydrogenphosphate-based compounds.     

Synthesis, crystal structure, infrared and Raman spectra of Sr4Cu3(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)4·3H2O and Ba2Cu4(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)3

The two new compounds, Sr₄Cu₃(AsO₄)₂(AsO₃OH)₄·3H₂O (1) and Ba₂Cu₄(AsO₄)₂(AsO₃OH)₃(2), were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. They represent previously unknown structure types and are the first compounds synthesized in the systems SrO/BaO-CuO-As₂O₅-H₂O. Their crystal structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction [space group C2/c, a=18.536(4) Å, b=5.179(1) Å, c=24.898(5) Å, β=93.67(3)°, V=2344.0(8) Å³, Z=4 for 1; space group P4₂/n, a=7.775(1) Å, c=13.698(3) Å, V=828.1(2) Å³, Z=2 for 2]. The crystal structure of 1 is related to a group of compounds formed by Cu²⁺-(XO₄)³⁻ layers (X=P⁵⁺, As⁵⁺) linked by M cations (M=alkali, alkaline earth, Pb²⁺, or Ag⁺) and partly by hydrogen bonds. In 1, worth mentioning is the very short hydrogen bond length, D···A=2.477(3) Å. It is one of the examples of extremely short hydrogen bonds, where the donor and acceptor are crystallographically different. Compound 2 represents a layered structure consisting of Cu₂O₈ centrosymmetric dimers crosslinked by As1φ₄ tetrahedra, where φ is O or OH, which are interconnected by Ba, As2 and hydrogen bonds to form a three-dimensional network. The layers are formed by Cu₂O₈ centrosymmetric dimers of CuO₅ edge-sharing polyhedra, crosslinked by As1O₄ tetrahedra. Vibrational spectra (FTIR and Raman) of both compounds are described. The spectroscopic manifestation of the very short hydrogen bond in 1, and ABC-like spectra in 2 were discussed.     

Vibrational spectroscopic study of the antimonate mineral bindheimite Pb2Sb2O6(O,OH)

Raman spectroscopy complimented with infrared spectroscopy has been used to characterise the antimonate mineral bindheimite Pb₂Sb₂O₆(O,OH). The mineral is characterised by an intense Raman band at 656 cm⁻¹ assigned to SbO stretching vibrations. Other lower intensity bands at 664, 749 and 814 cm⁻¹ are also assigned to stretching vibrations. This observation suggests the non-equivalence of SbO units in the structure. Low intensity Raman bands at 293, 312 and 328 cm⁻¹ are assigned to the OSbO bending vibrations. Infrared bands at 979, 1008, 1037 and 1058 cm⁻¹ may be assigned to δOH deformation modes of SbOH units. Infrared bands at 1603 and 1640 cm⁻¹ are assigned to water bending vibrations, suggesting that water is involved in the bindheimite structure. Broad infrared bands centred upon 3250 cm⁻¹ supports this concept. Thus the true formula of bindheimite is questioned and probably should be written as Pb₂Sb₂O₆(O,OH,H₂O).     

Electronic absorption spectrum of Ba(MnO4)2·3H2O/Ba(ClO4)2·3H2O

Polarized absorption spectra of Ba(MnO₄)₂·3H₂O/Ba(ClO₄)₂·3H₂O mixed single crystals are reported at 4.2°K. Previous ¹T₂ → ¹A₁ assignments for the 5200 Å and 3000 Å absorption bands of MnO₄⁻ are substantiated; further support is provided for the ¹T₁ → ¹A₁ assignment of the 3600 Å absorption band of MnO₄⁻. The site-splitting of the 5200 Å ¹T₂ state is E(¹E)−E(¹A) ≈ −150 cm⁻¹; that of the 3000 Å ¹T₂ state is E(¹E)−E(¹A) ≈ 300 cm⁻¹. A significant e vibronic intensity component is observed in the 5200 Å ¹T₂ state.     

Thermal decomposition behavior of the rare-earth ammonium sulfate R2(SO4)3·(NH4)2SO4

Rare-earth ammonium sulfate octahydrates of R₂(SO₄)₃·(NH₄)₂SO₄·8H₂O (R=Pr, Nd, Sm, and Eu) were synthesized by a wet process, and the stable temperature region for the anhydrous R₂(SO₄)₃·(NH₄)₂SO₄ form was clarified by thermogravimetry/differential thermal analysis, infrared, Raman, and electrical conductivity measurements. Detailed characterization of these double salts demonstrated that the thermal stability of anhydrous R₂(SO₄)₃·(NH₄)₂SO₄ is different between the Pr, Nd salts and the Sm, Eu salts, and the thermal decomposition behavior of these salts was quite different from the previous reports.     

[Hg5O2(OH)4][(UO2)2(AsO4)2]: A complex mercury(II) uranyl arsenate

Under mild hydrothermal conditions UO₂(NO₃)₂·6H₂O, Hg₂(NO₃)₂·2H₂O, and Na₂HAsO₄·7H₂O react to form [Hg₅O₂(OH)₄][(UO₂)₂(AsO₄)₂] (HgUAs-1). Single crystal X-ray diffraction experiments reveal that HgUAs-1 possesses a pseudo-layered structure consisting of two types of layers: and . The layers are complex, and contain three crystallographically unique Hg centers. The coordination environments and bond-valence sum calculations indicate that the Hg centers are divalent. The layers belong to the Johannite topological family. The and layers are linked to each other through μ₂-O bridges that include Hg?O=U=O interactions.     

Spectroscopic and thermal properties of FeHg(SCN)4

The preparation and characterization of iron mercury thiocyanate, FeHg(SCN)₄ (abbreviated as FMTC) are described. The spectroscopic properties were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), infrared, Raman and UV-Vis-NIR transmission spectra. The thermal stability and thermal decomposition of FMTC were investigated by means of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The intermediates and final products of the thermal decomposition were identified by X-ray powder diffraction at room temperature.     

Thermal decomposition of syngenite, K2Ca(SO4)2·H2O

The thermal decomposition of syngenite, K₂Ca(SO₄)₂·H₂O, formed during the treatment of liquid manure has been studied by thermal gravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, high temperature X-ray diffraction (XRD) and infrared emission spectroscopy (IES). Gypsum was found as a minor impurity resulting in a minor weight loss due to dehydration around 100 °C. The main endothermic dehydration and decomposition stage of syngenite to crystalline K₂Ca₂(SO₄)₃ and amorphous K₂SO₄ is observed around 200 °C. The reaction involves a solid-state re-crystallisation, while water and the K₂SO₄ diffuse out of the existing lattice. The additional weight loss steps around 250 and 350 °C are probably due to presence of larger syngenite particles, which exhibit slower decomposition due to the slower diffusion of water and K₂SO₄ out of the crystal lattice. A minor endothermic sulphate loss around 450 °C is not due to the decomposition of syngenite or its products or of the gypsum impurity. The origin of this sulphate is not clear.     

Infrared study of νOD modes in isotopically dilute (HDO) isostructural compounds M(HCOO)2·2H2O (M=Mn,Fe,Co,Ni,Cu,Zn) with matrix-isolated guest ions (Cu in M(HCOO)2·2H2O and M in Cu(HCOO)2·2H2O)

The infrared spectra of isotopically dilute (matrix-isolated HDO molecules) isostructural compounds M(HCOO)₂·2H₂O (M=Mn,Fe,Co,Ni,Zn,Cu) are presented and discussed in the region of the OD stretching modes. According to the structural data the compounds under study are divided into two groups: in M(HCOO)₂·2H₂O (M=Mn,Ni,Zn) the H₂O(1) molecules form stronger hydrogen bonds as compared to H₂O(2); in M(HCOO)₂·2H₂O (M=Fe,Co,Cu) the H₂O(2) molecules form stronger hydrogen bonds as compared to the H₂O(1) molecules. The influence of the metal–water interactions (synergetic effect) and the unit-cell volumes (repulsion potential of the lattice) on the hydrogen bond strength within the isostructural series is discussed. The wavenumbers of the uncoupled OD stretching modes of the HDO molecules influenced by guest ions (Cu²⁺ ions matrix-isolated in M(HCOO)₂·2H₂O and M²⁺ ions matrix-isolated in Cu(HCOO)₂·2H₂O) are presented and commented. For example, the analysis of the spectra reveals that when Cu²⁺ ions are included in the structure of M(HCOO)₂·2H₂O the hydrogen bonds of the type M–OH₂OCHO–Cu are considerably weaker as compared to those of the same type formed when M²⁺ ions are included in the structure of Cu(HCOO)₂·2H₂O if the cations remain unchanged.     

X-ray diffraction, Raman study and electrical properties of the new mixed compound [Rb0.44(NH4)0.56]2HgCl4 · H2O

Differential scanning calorimetry of [Rb_0.44(NH₄)_0.56]₂HgCl₄ · H₂O material showed three anomalies at 340, 355 and 424 K, respectively. The room temperature phase has space group Pcma (a=8.433(1) Å, b=9.1817(9) Å and c=11.954(1)). Phase II (T=350 K) is disordered and exhibits orthorhombic symmetry (a=8.456(13), b=9.202(9) and c=12.011(10) Å). Hydrogen bonding, the nature and the degree of structure (dis)order and the mechanisms of the transitions are discussed. The dielectric constant ^′ at different frequencies and temperature revealed a phase transition at T=340 K related to NH₄⁺ reorientation and H⁺ diffusion, and a characteristic increase above 355 K, which might be due to loss of water of crystallization. Transport properties in this compound appear to be due to an Rb⁺/NH₄⁺ and H⁺ ions hopping mechanism.     

Single-crystal characterization of Co7(OH)6(H2O)3(C4H4O4)47H2O; A new cobalt succinate identified through high-throughput synthesis

A new form of cobalt succinate has been discovered using high-throughput methods and its structure was solved by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Co₇(C₄H₄O₄)₄(OH)₆(H₂O)₃7H₂O crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with cell parameters: a=7.888(2) Å, b=19.082(6) Å, c=23.630(7) Å, β=91.700(5)°, V=3555(2) Å³, R₁=0.0469. This complex structure, containing 55 crystallographically distinct non-hydrogen atoms, is compared to the previously reported nickel phase, characterized using ab initio structure solution from synchrotron powder diffraction data.     

Infrared spectra of (CH3)2O and (CH3)2O + H2O at low temperature

Fourier transform infrared reflection spectroscopy (incidence angle of 5°) was used to characterize thin films of dimethyl ether (DME) and of mixtures containing water and DME between 10 and 160 K under a pressure of 10⁻⁷ mbar. Solid DME has two solid phases: an amorphous phase which is obtained below 65 K and a crystalline phase >65 K. From 90 K, DME begins to sublimate with surface binding energy of 20±2 kJ mol⁻¹. Vibrational spectrum of DME trapped in water ice remains nearly unchanged from 30 to 120 K. Between 120 and 130 K, a large part of DME is released and strong changes in the frequencies and the profile of the absorptions of DME are observed. This behavior suggests the formation of clathrate hydrate. Below 120 K, the trapped DME is hydrogen-bonded to water molecules.     

A novel three-dimensional malonate-bridged complex {[Cu4(4,4′- bpy)8(mal)2(H2O)4](ClO4)2(H2O)4(CH3OH)2}n

A novel malonate-bridged copper (II) compound of formula {[Cu₄(4,4′-bpy)₈(mal)₂(H₂O)₄](ClO₄)₂(H₂O)₄(CH₃OH)₂}_n (4,4′-bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine; mal = malonate dianion) has been prepared and structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. This compound exhibits a novel three-dimensional network being composed of Cu-4,4′-bipyridine layers which are pillared by malonate bridge ligands. The copper(II) ions has two different coordination environment.     

Optical spectroscopy of chromium doped (CH3)2NH2X(SO4)2·6H2O (X=Al, Ga) single crystals

Chromium doped (CH₃)₂NH₂Al(SO₄)₂·6H₂O (DMAAlS) and (CH₃)₂NH₂Ga(SO₄)₂·6H₂O (DMAGaS) single crystals were grown and investigated using the methods of optical spectroscopy. It was found that the Cr³⁺ ions in the two crystals are situated in a strong crystal field in which the ²E state is the lowest. The single narrow R-line associated with the ²E–⁴A₂ phosphorescence of Cr³⁺ in DMAAlS in a ferroelectric phase indicates an undistorted octahedral site, whereas important distortion of O_h symmetry and structural disorder was inferred from spectral data obtained with DMAGaS:Cr³⁺ in a low temperature phase. Results of optical investigation are discussed taking into account the structural data.     

An infrared and Raman spectroscopic study of the Hofmann-type complexes and clathrates: M(piperidine)2Ni(CN)4; M(piperidine)2Ni(CN)4·1.5G (M=Cd, Co, Ni or Cu; G=benzene)

New Hofmann-type complexes and clathrates of the forms M(piperidine)₂Ni(CN)₄ and M(piperidine)₂Ni(CN)₄·1.5G (M=Cd, Co, Ni or Cu; G=benzene) were prepared in powder form and their infrared and Raman spectra are reported. The spectral features suggest that these compounds are similar in structure to the Hofmann-type clathrates except for the copper compounds. The complex and clathrate of Cu have different spectral features in comparison with its analogues due to the Jahn-Teller effect.     

A novel copper diphosphonate complex Cu4(aedp)2(4,4′-bpy)(H2O)4 with three-dimensional framework structure

A novel copper organodiphosphonate complex containing a second ligand 4,4′-bipyridine (4,4′-bpy) based on 1-aminoethylidenediphosphonic acid (H₄aedp), Cu₄(aedp)₂(4,4′-bpy)(H₂O)₄ (1), has been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. Complex 1 adopts a three-dimensional framework structure assembled from {Cu₄(aedp)₂(H₂O)₄} layers and 4,4′-bpy bridges. Each {Cu₄(aedp)₂(H₂O)₄} unit consists of three crystallographically distinct Cu atoms. The Cu(1) atom has a distorted square pyramidal geometry, whereas the Cu(2) and Cu(3) atoms have a distorted elongated tetragonal octahedral geometry. The magnetic studies indicate that complex 1 show typical antiferromagnetic behaviors at low temperature, which is attributed to the superexchange couplings between Cu(II) centers through μ-O bridge in the phosphonate layers. Crystal data for 1: triclinic, space group , a=8.0931(16), b=13.567(3), c=6.2185(12)Å, α=90.55(3), β=96.97(3), γ=78.50(3)°, V=664.1(2)ų, Z=2.     

Synthesis and structure of a novel complex [LCo(OH)2(HCO3)CoL]2[(NC)5Cr(CN)Cr(CN)2].4H2O

A novel complex containing a (μ-bicarbonato)-bis(μ-hydroxo)dicobalt(II) cation and a (μ-cyano)dichromium(III) anion has been obtained and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The cations have a confacial bioctahedral structure and the anion contains an octahedral Cr(CN)₆³⁻ unit bridging to the second Cr which has trigomal planar geometry.     

混合纳米氢氧化镍的球镍电极材料的电化学活性研究

采用配位沉淀法制备出了Ni(OH)₂样品，经XRD测试为β-Ni(OH)₂，TEM测试结果表明其为平均粒径50nm左右的不规则的颗粒。将所制备的纳米Ni(OH)₂按8wt%的比例在球镍中混合后制成电极，可使正极的比容量提高11%左右。热分析表明，纳米Ni(OH)₂的电化学活性高于球镍的电化学活性。激光拉曼光谱的测试结果说明了8wt%混合后制成的纳米电极确实有较好的放电容量，同时也证实了用拉曼光谱可以表征电极材料的充放电