Low-frequency Raman spectra of nitric acid hydrates

Raman spectra of solid nitric acid hydrates (NAM, alpha- and beta-NAD, alpha- and beta-NAT, and NAP) are obtained in the low-frequency region 20-175 cm(-1) where phonon bands show characteristic patterns. This fingerprint information, intimately related to the structure and symmetry of the unit cell, is well suited for observation of phase changes in solid nitric acid hydrates and allows the distinction of mixtures of different hydrate phases. The low-frequency spectra are correlated with the spectra of the respective symmetric NO stretching vibration (1000-1080 cm(-1)), with literature data, and with X-ray diffraction patterns.     

Molecular vibrations of methane molecules in the structure I clathrate hydrate from ab initio molecular dynamics simulation

Vibrational frequencies of guest molecules in clathrate hydrates reflect the molecular environment and dynamical behavior of molecules. A detailed understanding of the mechanism for the vibrational frequency changes of the guest molecules in the clathrate hydrate cages is still incomplete. In this study, molecular vibrations of methane molecules in a structure I clathrate hydrate are calculated from ab initio molecular dynamics simulation. The vibrational spectra of methane are computed by Fourier transform of autocorrelation functions, which reveal distinct separation of each vibrational mode. Calculated symmetric and asymmetric stretching vibrational frequencies of methane molecules are lower in the large cages than in the small cages (8 and 16 cm(-1) for symmetric and asymmetric stretching, respectively). These changes are closely linked with the C-H bond length. The vibrational frequencies for the bending and rocking vibrational modes nearly overlap in each of the cages.     

FT-Raman and photoacoustic infrared spectroscopy of Syncrude heavy gas oil distillation fractions

FT-Raman and photoacoustic (PA) infrared spectra of six distillation fractions derived from Syncrude heavy gas oil (HGO), which has a boiling range from 343 to 524 degrees C, were analyzed in detail in this study. Most of the information on the fingerprint region (200-1,800 cm(-1)) is provided by the FT-Raman spectra, which display approximately 30 bands that are assignable to functional groups in alkanes or aromatics. Monocyclic, bicyclic and tricyclic aromatics in the six fractions were also monitored using bands in this region. The C-H stretching region in both the FT-Raman and PA infrared spectra of the HGO distillation fractions was analyzed according to a curve-fitting algorithm used in previous investigations of samples with lower boiling points. The PA spectra of the HGO fractions were also analyzed by integration. The curve-fitting results show that the frequencies of the 11 Raman and 8 infrared bands used to model the aliphatic (approximately 2,775-3,000 cm(-1)) parts of the respective spectra are approximately constant across the entire HGO boiling range. These band positions are consistent with the results obtained in earlier studies of other distillation fractions obtained from Syncrude sweet blend. Both curve-fitting and integration show that the respective proportions of CH(2) and CH(3) groups do not vary significantly within the HGO region.     

Investigations of surfactant effects on gas hydrate formation via infrared spectroscopy

This infrared (IR) spectroscopic study addresses surfactant effects on cyclopentane (CP) hydrate-water interfaces by observing both ice-like (3100 cm(-1)) and water-like (3400 cm(-1)) bands in the bonded OH region together with free OH bands. IR spectroscopy of hydrates has not been actively employed due to the overwhelming signal saturation of the OH bonding. However, this work is able to utilize this large signal of the OH bonding to understand the water structure changes upon adding sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) to CP hydrate-water interfaces. The spectral data suggest a change to more ice like (3100 cm(-1)) features starting from 100 ppm to 750 ppm SDS, indicating favorable nucleation. At the same instance, water like (3400 cm(-1)) features are also shown in this range of SDS concentration, which suggests looser hydrogen bonding that is an indicator for facilitating hydrate growth. Additionally, this ATR-IR study firstly identifies both symmetric and anti-symmetric free OH bands of the hydrogen bond (HB) acceptors in the clathrate hydrate system. Relative area ratios of free and bonded OH bands provide important information about spatial arrangements of adsorbed SDS monomers.     

FT-Raman and photoacoustic infrared spectroscopy of syncrude light gas oil distillation fractions

FT-Raman and photoacoustic (PA) infrared spectra of 12 distillation fractions derived from Syncrude light gas oil (LGO), which has a boiling range from 195 to 343 degrees C, were analyzed in detail in this study. In the fingerprint region (200-1800 cm(-1)) most of the information is obtained from the FT-Raman spectra, which display 36 bands that are assignable to various alkyl or aryl functional groups. Monocyclic, bicyclic and tricyclic aromatics in the 12 fractions were also characterized using Raman bands in this region. The corresponding section of the infrared spectra is much simpler, displaying a relatively small number of bands due to either aromatic or aliphatic CH(n) (n=1, 2 or 3) groups. The Cz.sbnd;H stretching region in both FT-Raman and PA infrared spectra of the LGO distillation fractions was curve-fitted according to procedures established in previous investigations of Syncrude samples with various boiling ranges. The PA spectra of the LGO fractions were also analyzed using an accepted integration strategy that requires no a priori assumptions with regard to the number of constituent bands or their shapes. The curve-fitting results show that the frequencies of the 11 Raman and eight infrared bands used to model the aliphatic ( approximately 2775-3000 cm(-1)) parts of the respective spectra decrease systematically as the median boiling points of the LGO fractions increase. These band positions are consistent with those determined in earlier studies of other distillation fractions. Both curve fitting and integration show that the abundance of CH(2) groups increases at the expense of CH(3) groups as the boiling points of the fractions increase within the LGO region.     

Spectroscopic methods in gas hydrate research

Gas hydrates are crystalline structures comprising a guest molecule surrounded by a water cage, and are particularly relevant due to their natural occurrence in the deep sea and in permafrost areas. Low molecular weight molecules such as methane and carbon dioxide can be sequestered into that cage at suitable temperatures and pressures, facilitating the transition to the solid phase. While the composition and structure of gas hydrates appear to be well understood, their formation and dissociation mechanisms, along with the dynamics and kinetics associated with those processes, remain ambiguous. In order to take advantage of gas hydrates as an energy resource (e.g., methane hydrate), as a sequestration matrix in (for example) CO₂ storage, or for chemical energy conservation/storage, a more detailed molecular level understanding of their formation and dissociation processes, as well as the chemical, physical, and biological parameters that affect these processes, is required. Spectroscopic techniques appear to be most suitable for analyzing the structures of gas hydrates (sometimes in situ), thus providing access to such information across the electromagnetic spectrum. A variety of spectroscopic methods are currently used in gas hydrate research to determine the composition, structure, cage occupancy, guest molecule position, and binding/formation/dissociation mechanisms of the hydrate. To date, the most commonly applied techniques are Raman spectroscopy and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Diffraction methods such as neutron and X-ray diffraction are used to determine gas hydrate structures, and to study lattice expansions. Furthermore, UV-vis spectroscopic techniques and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) have assisted in structural studies of gas hydrates. Most recently, waveguide-coupled mid-infrared spectroscopy in the 3–20 μm spectral range has demonstrated its value for in situ studies on the formation and dissociation of gas hydrates. This comprehensive review summarizes the importance of spectroscopic analytical techniques to our understanding of the structure and dynamics of gas hydrate systems, and highlights selected examples that illustrate the utility of these individual methods.     

Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Structure II Clathrate Hydrates of Xenon and Large Hydrocarbon Guest Molecules

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of structure II clathrate hydrates are performed under canonical (NVT) and isobaric–isothermal (NPT) ensembles. The guest molecule as a small help gas is xenon and gases such as cyclopropane, isobutane and propane are used as large hydrocarbon guest molecule (LHGM). The dynamics of structure II clathrate hydrate is considered in two cases: empty small cages and small cages containing xenon. Therefore, the MD results for structure II clathrate hydrates of LHGM and LHGM + Xe are obtained to clarify the effects of guest molecules on host lattice structure. To understand the characteristic configurations of structure II clathrate hydrate the radial distribution functions (RDFs) are calculated for the studied hydrate system. The obtained results indicate the significance of interactions of the guest molecules on stabilizing the hydrate host lattice and these results is consistent with most previous experimental and theoretical investigations.     

Dissociation enthalpies of synthesized multicomponent gas hydrates with respect to the guest composition and cage occupancy

This study presents the influences of additional guest molecules such as C2H6, C3H8, and CO2 on methane hydrates regarding their thermal behavior. For this purpose, the onset temperatures of decomposition as well as the enthalpies of dissociation were determined for synthesized multicomponent gas hydrates in the range of 173-290 K at atmospheric pressure using a Calvet heat-flow calorimeter. Furthermore, the structures and the compositions of the hydrates were obtained using X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy as well as hydrate prediction program calculations. It is shown that the onset temperature of decomposition of both sI and sII hydrates tends to increase with an increasing number of larger guest molecules than methane occupying the large cavities. The results of the calorimetric measurements also indicate that the molar dissociation enthalpy depends on the guest-to-cavity size ratio and the actual concentration of the guest occupying the large cavities of the hydrate. To our knowledge, this is the first study that observes this behavior using calorimetrical measurements on mixed gas hydrates at these temperature and pressure conditions.     

Spectroscopic Observation of the Hydroxy Position in Butanol Hydrates and Its Effect on Hydrate Stability

In this study, we investigate the crystal structures and phase equilibria of butanols+CH₄+H₂O systems to reveal the hydroxy group positioning and its effects on hydrate stability. Four clathrate hydrates formed by structural butanol isomers are identified with powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD). In addition, Raman spectroscopy is used to analyze the guest distributions and inclusion behaviors of large alcohol molecules in these hydrate systems. The existence of a free OH indicates that guest molecules can be captured in the large cages of structure II hydrates without any hydrogen‐bonding interactions between the hydroxy group of the guests and the water‐host framework. However, Raman spectra of the binary (1‐butanol+CH₄) hydrate do not show the free OH signal, indicating that there could be possible hydrogen‐bonding interactions between the guests and hosts. We also measure the four‐phase equilibrium conditions of the butanols+CH₄+H₂O systems.     

Raman spectroscopy of selected lead minerals of environmental significance

The Raman spectra of the minerals cerrusite (PbCO(3)), hydrocerrusite (Pb(2)(OH)(2)CO(3)), phosgenite (Pb(2)CO(3)Cl(2)) and laurionite (Pb(OH)Cl) have been used to qualitatively determine their presence. Laurionite and hydrocerrusite have characteristic hydroxyl stretching bands at 3506 and 3576 cm(-1). Laurionite is also characterised by broad low intensity bands centred at 730 and 595 cm(-1) attributed to hydroxyl deformation vibrations. The minerals cerrusite, hydrocerrusite and phosgenite have characteristic CO (nu(1)) symmetric stretching bands observed at 1061, 1054 and 1053 cm(-1). Phosgenite displays complexity in the CO (nu(3)) antisymmetric stretching region with bands observed at 1384, 1327 and 1304 cm(-1). Cerrusite shows bands at 1477, 1424, 1376 and 1360 cm(-1). The hydrocerrusite Raman spectrum has bands at slightly different positions from cerrusite, with bands at 1479, 1420, 1378 and 1365 cm(-1). The complexity of the nu(3) region is also reflected in the nu(2) and nu(4) regions with the observation of multiple bands. Laurionite is characterised by two intense bands at 328 and 272 cm(-1) attributed to PbO and PbCl stretching bands. Importantly, all four minerals are characterized by their Raman spectra, enabling the mineral identification in leachates and contaminants of environmental significance.     

13C NMR studies of hydrocarbon guests in synthetic structure H gas hydrates: experiment and computation

(13)C NMR chemical shifts were measured for pure (neat) liquids and synthetic binary hydrate samples (with methane help gas) for 2-methylbutane, 2,2-dimethylbutane, 2,3-dimethylbutane, 2-methylpentane, 3-methylpentane, methylcyclopentane, and methylcyclohexane and ternary structure H (sH) clathrate hydrates of n-pentane and n-hexane with methane and 2,2-dimethylbutane, all of which form sH hydrates. The (13)C chemical shifts of the guest atoms in the hydrate are different from those in the free form, with some carbon atoms shifting specifically upfield. Such changes can be attributed to conformational changes upon fitting the large guest molecules in hydrate cages and/or interactions between the guests and the water molecules of the hydrate cages. In addition, powder X-ray diffraction measurements revealed that for the hexagonal unit cell, the lattice parameter along the a-axis changes with guest hydrate former molecule size and shape (in the range of 0.1 ?) but a much smaller change in the c-axis (in the range of 0.01 ?) is observed. The (13)C NMR chemical shifts for the pure hydrocarbons and all conformers were calculated using the gauge invariant atomic orbital method at the MP2/6-311+G(2d,p) level of theory to quantify the variation of the chemical shifts with the dihedral angles of the guest molecules. Calculated and measured chemical shifts are compared to determine the relative contribution of changes in the conformation and guest-water interactions to the change in chemical shift of the guest upon clathrate hydrate formation. Understanding factors that affect experimental chemical shifts for the enclathrated hydrocarbons will help in assigning spectra for complex hydrates recovered from natural sites.     

烷烃客体分子(C_nH_m,n≤6,m≤14)在5~(12)6~2和5~(12)6~4水笼中的稳定性与拉曼光谱的密度泛函理论计算

可燃冰矿藏中气体成分非常复杂,通过谱学分析对水合物样品成分进行指认具有重要意义.基于B97-D/6-311++G(2d,2p)的密度泛函理论(DFT)计算,我们系统地探索了构成水合物的两种标准水笼(51262和51264)包络十八种不同烷烃客体分子的稳定性.从计算结果可以看出,除了3-甲基戊烷和2,3-二甲基丁烷两个烷烃客体分子,其它16个烷烃客体分子都可以被容纳在51262笼中;但是与51262笼不同,十八种烷烃客体分子都可以被容纳在尺寸较大的51264笼中.同时,我们也模拟了五种直链烷烃和四种环状烷烃在51262和51264笼中相应的谱学特征,从拉曼谱图上可以看出,随着碳原子数量的增多,直链烷烃客体分子C―H键伸缩振动区的多数拉曼谱带向高波数移动,而环状烷烃客体分子C―H键伸缩振动区的拉曼谱带则向低波数移动.这些结果为实验上通过拉曼谱测量指认水合物矿藏的成分提供理论参考.     

Kinetics and stability of CH4-CO2 mixed gas hydrates during formation and long-term storage.

The formation of CH4-CO2 mixed gas hydrates was observed by measuring the change of vapor-phase composition using gas chromatography and Raman spectroscopy. Preferential consumption of carbon dioxide molecules was found during hydrate formation, which agreed well with thermodynamic calculations. Both Raman spectroscopic analysis and the thermodynamic calculation indicated that the kinetics of this mixed gas hydrate system was controlled by the competition of both molecules to be enclathrated into the hydrate cages. However, the methane molecules were preferentially crystallized in the early stages of hydrate formation when the initial methane concentration was much less than that of carbon dioxide. According to the Roman spectra, pure methane hydrates first formed under this condition. This unique phenomenon suggested that methane molecules play important roles in the hydrate formation process. These mixed gas hydrates were stored at atmospheric pressure and 190 K for over two months to examine the stability of the encaged gases. During storage, CO2 was preferentially released. According to our thermodynamic analysis, this CO2 release was due to the instability of CO2 in the hydrate structure under the storage conditions.     

Raman and infrared spectroscopy of selected vanadates

Raman and infrared spectroscopy has been used to study the structure of selected vanadates including pascoite, huemulite, barnesite, hewettite, metahewettite, hummerite. Pascoite, rauvite and huemulite are examples of simple salts involving the decavanadates anion (V10O28)6-. Decavanadate consists of four distinct VO6 units which are reflected in Raman bands at the higher wavenumbers. The Raman spectra of these minerals are characterised by two intense bands at 991 and 965 cm(-1). Four pascoite Raman bands are observed at 991, 965, 958 and 905 cm(-1) and originate from four distinct VO6 sites. The other minerals namely barnesite, hewettite, metahewettite and hummerite have similar layered structures to the decavanadates but are based upon (V5O14)3- units. Barnesite is characterised by a single Raman band at 1010 cm(-1), whilst hummerite has Raman bands at 999 and 962 cm(-1). The absence of four distinct bands indicates the overlap of the vibrational modes from two of the VO6 sites. Metarossite is characterised by a strong band at 953 cm(-1). These bands are assigned to nu1 symmetric stretching modes of (V6O16)2- units and terminal VO3 units. In the infrared spectra of these minerals, bands are observed in the 837-860 cm(-1) and in the 803-833 cm(-1) region. In some of the Raman spectra bands are observed for pascoite, hummerite and metahewettite in similar positions. These bands are assigned to nu3 antisymmetric stretching of (V10O28)6- units or (V5O14)3- units. Because of the complexity of the spectra in the low wavenumber region assignment of bands is difficult. Bands are observed in the 404-458 cm(-1) region and are assigned to the nu2 bending modes of (V10O28)6- units or (V5O14)3- units. Raman bands are observed in the 530-620 cm(-1) region and are assigned to the nu4 bending modes of (V10O28)6- units or (V5O14)3- units. The Raman spectra of the vanadates in the low wavenumber region are complex with multiple overlapping bands which are probably due to VO subunits and MO bonds.     

Vibrational spectra of copper sulfate hydrates investigated with low-temperature Raman spectroscopy and terahertz time domain spectroscopy

In this paper, the vibrational spectra of copper sulfate hydrates (CuSO(4)·xH(2)O, x = 5, 3, 1, 0) have been investigated with low-temperature Raman spectroscopy and terahertz time domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS). It is found that the four groups of Raman bands between 90 and 4000 cm(-1) can be assigned to lattice vibration as well as intramolecular vibrations of a copper complex, sulfate group, and water molecules. The variation of vibrational spectra during the dehydrated process are discussed in detail considering the transformation of the crystal structure, especially the bands between 3000 and 3500 cm(-1), which are attributed to the ν(1) and ν(3) modes of water molecules. In addition, as a complement of Raman spectra, the THz spectra at 0.1-3 THz indicate the absorption due to the low-frequency lattice vibration and hydrogen bond.     

Using Raman spectroscopy to identify mixite minerals

Raman spectroscopy has been used to identify whether or not a selection of minerals labelled as mixites (formula BiCu6(AsO4)3(OH)6.3H2O) are correctly marked. Of the four samples, two samples are shown to be potentially mixites because of the presence of the characteristic Raman spectra of (AsO4)3- units and (HAsO4)- units, characterised by bands at around 803 and 833 cm(-1). Two of the minerals are shown to be predominantly carbonates. Bands are observed at 3473.9 and 3470.3 cm(-1) for the two mixite samples. Bands observed in the region 880-910 cm(-1) and in the 867-870 cm(-1) region are assigned to the AsO stretching vibrations of (HAsO4)2- and (H2AsO4)- units. Whilst bands at around 803 and 833 cm(-1) are assigned to the stretching vibrations of uncomplexed (AsO4)3- units. Intense bands observed at 473.7 and 475.4 cm(-1) are assigned to the nu4 bending mode of AsO4 units. Bands observed at around 386.5, 395.3 and 423.1 cm(-1) are assigned to the nu2 bending modes of the HAsO4 (434 and 400 cm(-1)) and the AsO4 groups (324 cm(-1)). Raman spectroscopy lends itself to the identification of minerals on host matrices and is especially useful for the identification of mixites.     

Vibrational spectroscopy of ferruginous smectite and nontronite

A comparison is made between the Raman and infrared spectra of ferruginous smectite and a nontronite using both absorption and emission techniques. Raman spectra show hydroxyl stretching bands at 3572, 3434, 3362, 3220 and 3102 cm(-1). The infrared emission spectra of the hydroxyl stretching region are significantly different to the absorption spectrum. These differences are attributed to the loss of water, absent in the emission spectrum, the reduction of the samples in the spectrometer and possible phase changes. Dehydroxylation of the two minerals may be followed by the loss of intensity of the hydroxyl stretching and hydroxyl deformation frequencies. Hydroxyl deformation modes are observed at 873 and 801 cm(-1) for the ferruginous smectite, and at 776 and 792 cm(-1) for the nontronite. Raman hydroxyl deformation vibrations are found at 879 cm(-1). Other Raman bands are observed at 1092 and 1032 cm(-1), assigned to the SiO stretching vibrations, at 675 and 587 cm(-1), assigned to the hydroxyl translation vibrations, at 487 and 450 cm(-1), attributed to OSiO bending type vibrations, and at 363, 287 and 239 cm(-1). The differences in the molecular structure of the two minerals are attributed to the Al/Fe ratio in the minerals.     

Raman and infrared spectroscopic study of the anhydrous carbonate minerals shortite and barytocalcite

The Raman spectra of shortite and barytocalcite complimented with infrared spectra have been used to characterise the structure of these carbonate minerals. The Raman spectrum of barytocalcite shows a single band at 1086cm(-1) attributed to the (CO(3))(2-) symmetric stretching mode, in contrast to shortite where two bands are observed. The observation of two bands for shortite confirms the concept of more than one crystallographically distinct carbonate unit in the unit cell. Multiple bands are observed for the antisymmetric stretching and bending region for these minerals proving that the carbonate unit is distorted in the structure of both shortite and barytocalcite.     

Micro-Raman investigations of mixed gas hydrates

We report laser Raman spectroscopic measurements on mixed hydrates (clathrates), with guest molecules tetrahydrofuran (THF) and methane (CH₄), at ambient pressure and at temperatures from 175 to 280 K. Gas hydrates were synthesized with different concentrations of THF ranging from 5.88 to 1.46 mol%. In all cases THF molecules occupied the large cages of sII hydrate. The present studies demonstrate formation of sII clathrates with CH₄ molecules occupying unfilled cages for concentrations of THF ranging from 5.88 to 2.95 mol%. The Raman spectral signature of hydrates with 1.46 mol% THF are distinctly different; hydrate growth was non-uniform and structural transformation occurred from sII to sI prior to clathrate melting.     

Phase equilibrium measurements and crystallographic analyses on structure-H type gas hydrate formed from the CH4-CO2-neohexane-water system

Phase equilibrium conditions and the crystallographic properties of structure-H type gas hydrates containing various amounts of methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), neohexane (2,2-dimethylbutane; NH), and liquid water were investigated. When the CH4 concentration was as high as approximately 70%, the phase equilibrium pressure of the structure-H hydrate, which included NH, was about 1 MPa lower at a given temperature than that of the structure-I hydrate with the same composition (except for a lack of NH). However, as the CO2 concentration increased, the pressure difference between the structures became smaller and, at CO2 concentrations below 50%, the phase equilibrium line for the structure-H hydrate crossed that for the structure I. This cross point occurred at a lower temperature at higher CO2 concentration. Extrapolating this relation between the cross point and the CO2 concentration to 100% CO2 suggests that the cross-point temperature would be far below 273.2 K. It is then difficult to form structure-H hydrates in the CO2-NH-liquid water system. To examine the structure, guest composition, and formation process of structure-H hydrates at various CH4-CO2 compositions, we used the methods of Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and gas chromatography. Raman spectroscopic analyses indicated that the CH4 molecules were found to occupy both 5(12) and 4(3)5(6)6(3) cages, but they preferably occupied only the 5(12) cages. On the other hand, the CO2 molecules appeared to be trapped only in the 4(3)5(6)6(3) cages. Thus, the CO2 molecules aided the formation of structure-H hydrates even though they reduced the stability of that structure. This encaged condition of guest molecules was also compared with the theoretical calculations. In the batch-type reactor, this process may cause the fractionation of the remaining vapor composition in the opposite sense as that for CH4-CO2 hydrate (structure-I), and thus may result in an alternating formation of structure-H hydrates and structure-I in the same batch-type reactor.