A near-infrared spectroscopic study of the phosphate mineral pyromorphite Pb5(PO4)3Cl

Spectral properties as a function composition are analysed for a series of selected pyromorphite minerals of Australian origin. The minerals are characterised by d-d transitions in NIR from 12,000 to 8000 cm(-1) (0.83-1.25 microm). A broad signal observed at approximately 10,000cm(-1) (1.00 microm) is the result of ferrous ion impurity in pyromorphites and follows a relationship between band intensity in the near-infrared spectra and ferrous ion concentration. The iron impurity causes a change in colour from green-yellow to brown in the pyromorphite samples. The observation of overtones of the OH(-) fundamentals, confirms the presence OH(-) in the mineral structure. The contribution of water-OH overtones in the NIR at 5100 cm(-1) (1.96 microm) is an indication of bonded water in the minerals of pyromorphite. Spectra in the mid-IR show that pyromorphite is a known mixed phosphate and arsenate complex, Pb5(PO4,AsO4)3Cl. A series of bands are resolved in the infrared spectrum of pyromorphite at 1017, 961 and 894 cm(-1). The first two bands are assigned to nu(3), the antisymmetric stretching mode and the third band at 894 cm(-1) is the symmetric mode of the phosphate ion. Similar patterns are shown by other pyromorphite samples with variation in intensity. The cause of multiple bands near 800 cm(-1) is the result of isomorphic substitution of (PO4)(3-) by (AsO4)(3-) and the spectral pattern relates to the chemical variability in pyromorphite. The presence of (AsO4)(3-) is significant in certain pyromorphite samples.     

Complex phosphates with the NASICON structure (M x A2(PO4)3)

Data on the synthesis and properties of NASICON complex phosphates M _x A₂(PO₄)₃ are summarized. The crystal chemistry and homology of these compounds are surveyed. The existence of large channels and numerous voids in the structure and various occupations of these voids by mobile cations generate many valuable physical and chemical properties of the M _x A₂(PO₄)₃ complex phosphates. The details of phase transitions, ionic conductivity, thermal expansion, ion-exchange properties, and sensor properties of the NASICON materials are considered, as well as the possibility of purposefully changing these properties through partial heterovalent substitution for the metal or phosphorus atoms.     

The iron phosphate NaZnFe2(PO4)3

Crystals of sodium zinc diiron(III) triphosphate, NaZnFe₂(PO₄)₃, have been synthesized and structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The compound features a new structural type built up from ZnO₆ octahedra, FeO₆ octahedra and FeO₄ tetrahedra, linked together via the corners and edges of PO₄ tetrahedra to form a three‐dimensional framework, with tunnels running along [100]. Within these tunnels, Na⁺ cations occupy a highly distorted cubic site.     

Catalytic properties of zirconium phosphate and double phosphates of zirconium and alkali metals with a NaZr2(PO4)3 structure

Zirconium orthophosphate Zr₃(PO₄)₄ and double phosphates of zirconium and alkali metals AZr₂(PO₄)₃ (A = Na, K, Rb, Cs) with a NaZr₂(PO₄)₃ structure were synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction and electron microprobe analyses and capillary condensation of nitrogen. The catalytic properties of the phosphates in the dehydration of methanol were studied.     

Thermodynamic properties of LiZr2(PO4)3 crystal phosphate

The temperature dependence of the heat capacity of LiZr₂(PO₄)₃ crystal phosphate is studied in an adiabatic vacuum calorimeter in the temperature range of 6 to 358 K. A phase transition caused by the transition of a low-temperature (triclinic) modification to a high-temperature (rhombohedral) modification is observed in the temperature range of 290–338 K and its standard thermodynamic characteristics are estimated and analyzed. Standard thermodynamic functions are calculated from experimental data: heat capacity, enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs function in the range of T → 0 to 358 K. Fractal dimensionality D is calculated from the data on low-temperature (20 K ≤ T ≤ 50 K) heat capacity and the topology of the phosphate’s structure is estimated.     

K3Ga2(PO4)3 and Na3Ga(PO4)2

The structures of tripotassium digallium tris(phosphate), K₃Ga₂(PO₄)₃, and trisodium gallium bis(phosphate), Na₃Ga(PO₄)₂, have different irregular one‐dimensional alkali ion‐containing channels along the a axis of the orthorhombic and triclinic unit cells, respectively. The anionic subsystems consist of vortex‐linked PO₄ tetrahedra and GaO₄ tetrahedra or GaO₅ trigonal bipyramids in the first and second structure, respectively.     

Vibrational spectroscopic study of the mineral tsumebite Pb2Cu(PO4,SO4)(OH)

The mineral tsumebite Pb2Cu(PO4)(SO4)(OH), a copper phosphate-sulfate hydroxide of the brackebuschite group has been characterised by Raman and infrared spectroscopy. The brackebuschite mineral group are a series of monoclinic arsenates, phosphates and vanadates of the general formula A2B(XO4)(OH,H2O), where A may be Ba, Ca, Pb, Sr, while B may be Al, Cu2+,Fe2+, Fe3+, Mn2+, Mn3+, Zn and XO4 may be AsO4, PO4, SO4,VO4. Bands are assigned to the stretching and bending modes of PO4(3-) and HOPO3 units. Hydrogen bond distances are calculated based upon the position of the OH stretching vibrations and range from 2.759 ? to 3.205 ?. This range of hydrogen bonding contributes to the stability of the mineral.     

A Raman spectroscopic study of the uranyl phosphate mineral bergenite

Raman spectroscopy at 298 and 77 K of bergenite has been used to characterise this uranyl phosphate mineral. Bands at 995, 971 and 961 cm-1 (298 K) and 1006, 996, 971, 960 and 948 cm-1 (77K) are assigned to the nu1(PO4)3- symmetric stretching vibration. Three bands at 1059, 1107 and 1152 cm-1 (298 K) and 1061, 1114 and 1164 cm-1 (77 K) are attributed to the nu3(PO4)3- antisymmetric stretching vibrations. Two bands at 810 and 798 cm-1 (298 K) and 812 and 800 cm-1 (77 K) are attributed to the nu1 symmetric stretching vibration of the (UO2)2+ units. Bands at 860 cm-1 (298 K) and 866 cm-1 (77 K) are assigned to the nu3 antisymmetric stretching vibrations of the (UO2)2+ units. UO bond lengths in uranyls, calculated using the wavenumbers of the nu1 and nu3(UO2)2+ vibrations with empirical relations by Bartlett and Cooney, are in agreement with the X-ray single crystal structure data. Bands at (444, 432, 408 cm-1) (298 K), and (446, 434, 410 and 393 cm-1) (77 K) are assigned to the split doubly degenerate nu2(PO4)3- in-plane bending vibrations. The band at 547 cm-1 (298 K) and 549 cm-1 (77 K) are attributed to the nu4(PO4)3- out-of-plane bending vibrations. Raman bands at 3607, 3459, 3295 and 2944 cm-1 are attributed to water stretching vibrations and enable the calculation of hydrogen bond distances of >3.2, 2.847, 2.740 and 2.637 A. These bands prove the presence of structurally nonequivalent hydrogen bonded water molecules in the structure of bergenite.     

A Raman spectroscopic study of the uranyl phosphate mineral threadgoldite

Raman spectra of threadgoldite at 298 and 77K are measured and interpreted for the first time. Bands related the (UO(2))(2+) and (PO(4))(3-) stretching and bending vibrations are tenatively attributed together with the bands assigned to the stretching a and bending vibrations of water molecules and hydroxyls. Hydrogen-bonding network and H(2)O and (OH)(-1) libration modes are mentioned. U-O bond lengths in uranyls are calculated via empirical relations R(U-O)=f[nu(1) and nu(3)(UO(2))(2+)]A. They are comparable to the values inferred from the single crystal structure analysis of threadgoldite.     

Theoretical and experimental vibrational spectroscopy study of K3Ln(PO4)2 phosphates

The monoclinic phosphates with K3Ln(PO4)2 (Ln=rare earth) formula were synthesized. Their infrared and Raman spectra have been reported and analysed. The results of a force field calculation for K3Nd(PO4)2 are presented.     

Raman spectroscopy of the multi anion mineral arsentsumebite Pb2Cu(AsO4)(SO4)(OH) and in comparison with tsumebite Pb2Cu(PO4)(SO4)(OH)

The mineral arsentsumebite Pb(2)Cu(AsO(4))(SO(4))(OH), a copper arsenate-sulphate hydroxide of the brackebuschite group has been characterised by Raman spectroscopy. The brackebuschite mineral group are a series of monoclinic arsenates, phosphates and vanadates of the general formula A(2)B(XO(4))(OH,H(2)O), where A may be Ba, Ca, Pb, Sr, while B may be Al, Cu(2+),Fe(2+), Fe(3+), Mn(2+), Mn(3+), Zn and XO(4) may be AsO(4), PO(4), SO(4),VO(4). Bands are assigned to the stretching and bending modes of SO(4)(2-) AsO(4)(3-) and HOAsO(3) units. Raman spectroscopy readily distinguishes between the two minerals arsentsumebite and tsumebite. Raman bands attributed to arsenate are not observed in the Raman spectrum of tsumebite. Phosphate bands found in the Raman spectrum of tsumebite are not found in the Raman spectrum of arsentsumebite. Raman spectroscopy readily distinguishes the two minerals tsumebite and arsentsumebite.     

Infrared and Raman spectroscopic characterization of the hydrogen-bonding network in l-serine crystal

The IR spectra (4000–400 cm⁻¹) of neat and isotopically substituted (ND/OD ≤ 10% D and ≅30% D) polycrystalline l-serine (α-amino-β-hydroxypropionic acid; HO–CH₂–CH(NH₃)⁺–COO⁻) were recorded in the temperature range 300–10 K and assigned. The isotopic-doping/low-temperature methodology, which allows for decoupling of individual proton vibrational modes from the crystal bulk vibrations, was used for estimating the lengths and energies of the different H-bonds present in l-serine crystal. To this end, the frequency shifts observed in both the NH/OH stretching and out-of-plane bending spectral regions (relatively to reference values for these vibrations in non-hydrogen-bonded l-serine molecules) were used, together with previously developed empirical correlations between these spectral parameters and the H-bond properties. In addition, the room-temperature Raman spectrum (4000–150 cm⁻¹) of a single crystal of neat l-serine was also recorded and interpreted. A systematic comparison was made between the spectroscopic data obtained currently for l-serine and previously for dl-serine, revealing that the vibrational spectra of the two crystals reflect well the different characteristics of their hydrogen-bond networks, and also correlate accurately with the different susceptibility of the two crystals to pressure-induced strain.     

Ceramic properties of kaolinitic clay with monoaluminum phosphate (Al(H2PO4)3) addition

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - The effect of monoaluminum phosphate (Al(H2PO4)3) addition in the thermochemical process of a kaolinitic clay was studied and compared with the pure...     

Gases Released During the Conversion of NH4Zr2(PO4)3 to HZr2(PO4)3

Gases released during the conversion of NH₄Zr₂(PO₄)₃ to HZr₂(PO₄)₃ were identified using an apparatus in which gases released from a sample placed in a thermogravimetric analyzer were directly introduced to a gas cell of an IR spectrometer. Such acidic gases as N₂O and NO were detected besides the basic NH₃ gas, and their formation mechanism was discussed.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

AgCo3PO4(HPO4)2

The structure of the hydro­thermally synthesized compound AgCo₃PO₄(HPO₄)₂, silver tricobalt phosphate bis­(hydrogen phosphate), consists of edge‐sharing CoO₆ chains linked together by the phosphate groups and hydrogen bonds. The three‐dimensional framework delimits two types of tunnels which accommodate Ag⁺ cations and OH groups. The title compound is isostructural with the compounds AM₃H₂(XO₄)₃ (A = Na or Ag, M = Co or Mn, and X = P or As) of the alluaudite structure type.     

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.     

Raman spectroscopic study of the uranyl minerals vanmeersscheite U(OH)4[(UO2)3(PO4)2(OH)2].4H2O and arsenouranylite Ca(UO2)[(UO2)3(AsO4)2(OH)2].(OH)2.6H2O

Raman and infrared spectra of secondary uranyl phosphate vanmeersscheite and Raman spectrum of secondary uranyl arsenate arsenuranylite were recorded and interpreted, and the spectra related to the structure of the minerals. Observed bands were attributed to the stretching and bending vibrations of uranyl, phosphate and/or arsenate units and OH (H(2)O and OH(-)) units. Phosphuranylite sheet topology is characteristic for both minerals. U-O bond lengths in uranyl were calculated from the spectra and compared with those inferred for vanmeersscheite from the X-ray single crystal structure analysis. O-H...O hydrogen bonds in both minerals were also inferred using the Libowitzky empirical relation.