A Vibrational Spectroscopic Study of the So-Called Healing Mineral Papagoite CaCuAlSi2O6(OH)3

ABSTRACT

Papagoite is a silicate mineral named after an American Indian tribe and was used as a healing mineral. Papagoite CaCuAlSi₂O₆(OH)₃ is a hydroxy mixed anion compound with both silicate and hydroxyl anions in the formula. The structural characterization of the mineral papagoite remains incomplete. Papagoite is a four-membered ring silicate with Cu²⁺ in square planar coordination.

The intense sharp Raman band at 1053 cm^?1 is assigned to the ν₁ (A _1g) symmetric stretching vibration of the SiO₄ units. The splitting of the ν₃ vibrational mode offers support to the concept that the SiO₄ tetrahedron in papagoite is strongly distorted. A very intense Raman band observed at 630 cm^?1 with a shoulder at 644 cm^?1 is assigned to the ν₄ vibrational modes.

Intense Raman bands at 419 and 460 cm^?1 are attributed to the ν₂ bending modes.

Intense Raman bands at 3545 and 3573 cm^?1 are assigned to the stretching vibrations of the OH units. Low-intensity Raman bands at 3368 and 3453 cm^?1 are assigned to water stretching modes. It is suggested that the formula of papagoite is more likely to be CaCuAlSi₂O₆(OH)₃ · xH₂O. Hence, vibrational spectroscopy has been used to characterize the molecular structure of papagoite.     

Raman study of datolite CaBSiO4(OH) at simultaneously high pressure and high temperature

Using an in situ method of Raman spectroscopy and resistance‐heated diamond anvil cell, the system datolite CaBSiO₄(OH) – water has been investigated at simultaneously high pressure and temperature (up to Р ~5 GPa and Т ~250 °С). Two polymorphic transitions have been observed: (1) pressure‐induced phase transition or the feature in pressure dependence of Raman band wavenumbers at P = 2 GPа and constant T = 22 °С and (2) heating‐induced phase transition at T ~90 °С and P ~5 GPа. The number of Raman bands is retained at the first transition but changed at the second transition. The first transition is mainly distinguished by the changes in the slopes of pressure dependence of Raman peaks at 2 GPa. The second transition is characterized by several strong changes: the wavenumber jumps of major bands, the merging of strong doublets at 378 and 391 cm⁻¹ (values for ambient conditions), the splitting of the intermediate‐intensity band at 292 cm⁻¹, and the transformation of some low‐wavenumber bands at 160–190 cm⁻¹. No spectral and visual signs of overhydration and amorphization have been observed. No noticeable dissolution of datolite in the water medium occurred at 5 GPa and 250 °С after 3 h, which corresponds to typical conditions of the ‘cold’ zones of slab subduction. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Far infrared absorption of amorphous GaAs and Ge

Far infrared reflection spectra of amorphous GaAs and Ge have been obtained in the frequency region from 30–600 cm^?1. For each material, curves of ω?₂ vs frequency have been obtained whose corresponding reflectivity curves give a best fit to the data. The peak value of the abdorption coefficient is about 4000 cm^?1 for GaAs and 160 cm^?1 for Ge. The results are compared with Raman spectra and with theoretical calculations.     

Synthesis of compositionally controllable Cu<Subscript>2</Subscript>(Sn<Subscript>1−x</Subscript>Ge<Subscript>x</Subscript>)S<Subscript>3</Subscript> nanocrystals with tunable band gaps

In this work, we show that compositionally controlled Cu₂(Sn_1–xGe_x)S₃ nanocrystals can be successfully synthesized by the hot-injection method through careful tuning the Ge/(Sn+Ge) precursor ratio. The band gaps of the resultant nanocrystals are demonstrated to be linearly tuned from 1.45 to 2.33 eV by adjusting the composition parameter x of the Ge/(Sn+Ge) ratio from 0.0 to 1.0. The crystalline structures of the resultant NCs have been studied by the X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), select area electron diffraction (SAED), and Raman spectroscopy. A ligand exchange procedure is further performed to replace the native ligands on the surface of the NCs with sulfur ions. The photoresponsive behavior indicates the potential use of as-prepared Cu₂(Sn_1–xGe_x)S₃ nanocrystals in solar energy conversion systems. The synthesis of compositionally controlled Cu₂(Sn_1–xGe_x)S₃ nanocrystals reported herein provides a way for probing the effect of Ge inclusion in the Cu-Sn-S system thin films.     

Vibrational Spectroscopic Characterization of the Arsenate Mineral Barahonaite: Implications for the Molecular Structure

The mineral barahonaite is in all probability a member of the smolianinovite group. The mineral is an arsenate mineral formed as a secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of sulphide deposits. We have studied the barahonaite mineral using a combination of Raman and infrared spectroscopy. The mineral is characterized by a series of Raman bands at 863 cm^?1 with low wavenumber shoulders at 802 and 828 cm^?1. These bands are assigned to the arsenate and hydrogen arsenate stretching vibrations. The infrared spectrum shows a broad spectral profile. Two Raman bands at 506 and 529 cm^?1 are assigned to the triply degenerate arsenate bending vibration (F ₂, ν₄), and the Raman bands at 325, 360, and 399 cm^?1 are attributed to the arsenate ν₂ bending vibration. Raman and infrared bands in the 2500–3800 cm^?1 spectral range are assigned to water and hydroxyl stretching vibrations. The application of Raman spectroscopy to study the structure of barahonaite is better than infrared spectroscopy, probably because of the much higher spatial resolution.     

Raman Spectroscopic Study of the Copper Silicate Mineral Apachite Cu9Si10O29 · 11H2O

ABSTRACT

Apachite, Cu₉Si₁₀O₂₉ · 11H₂O, is a mineral named after the American Indian Apache tribe. Raman and infrared spectroscopy have been used to characterize the molecular structure of apachite. The structure of the mineral shows disorder, which is reflected in the difficulty in obtaining quality Raman spectra. Raman spectroscopy clearly shows the presence of OH units in the apachite structure, which attests the formula to be not correct. Both Raman and infrared spectroscopy show the presence of water in the apachite structure. Different water molecules are present with different hydrogen bonding strengths. A suggested formula might be Cu₉Si₁₀O₂₃(OH)₁₂ · 5H₂O.

The Raman band at 967 cm^?1 is assigned to the –SiO₃ symmetrical stretching vibration and the bands at 997 and 1096 cm^?1 are assigned to the ν₃ –SiO₃ antisymmetric stretching vibrations. An intense Raman band at 673 cm^?1 with a shoulder at 663 cm^?1 is assigned to the ν₄ Si-O-Si bending modes. Raman spectroscopy complemented with infrared spectroscopy enabled a better understanding of the molecular structure of apachite.     

Infrared and Raman Spectroscopic Characterization of the Silicate Mineral Gilalite Cu5Si6O17 · 7H2O

Gilalite is a copper silicate mineral with a general formula of Cu₅Si₆O₁₇ · 7H₂O. The mineral is often found in association with another copper silicate mineral, apachite, Cu₉Si₁₀O₂₉ · 11H₂O. Raman and infrared spectroscopy have been used to characterize the molecular structure of gilalite. The structure of the mineral shows disorder, which is reflected in the difficulty of obtaining quality Raman spectra. Raman spectroscopy clearly shows the absence of OH units in the gilalite structure. Intense Raman bands are observed at 1066, 1083, and 1160 cm^?1.

The Raman band at 853 cm^?1 is assigned to the –SiO₃ symmetrical stretching vibration and the low-intensity Raman bands at 914, 953, and 964 cm^?1 may be ascribed to the antisymmetric SiO stretching vibrations. An intense Raman band at 673 cm^?1 with a shoulder at 663 cm^?1 is assigned to the ν₄ Si-O-Si bending modes. Raman spectroscopy complemented with infrared spectroscopy enabled a better understanding of the molecular structure of gilalite.     

Study of carrier concentration profiles in Al‐implanted Ge by micro‐Raman spectroscopy under different excitation wavelengths

The distribution profile of Al implanted in crystalline Ge has been investigated by micro‐Raman spectroscopy. Using different excitation laser lines, corresponding to different optical penetration depths, the Al concentration at different depths beneath the sample surface has been studied. We have found a strong correlation between the intensity of the Al–Ge Raman peak at ~370 cm⁻¹, which is due to the local vibrational mode of substitutional Al atoms, and the carrier concentration profile, obtained by the spreading resistance profiling analysis. A similar connection has been also observed for both shape and position of the Ge–Ge Raman peak at ~300 cm⁻¹. According to these experimental findings, we propose here a fast and nondestructive method, based on micro‐Raman spectroscopy under different excitation wavelengths, to estimate the carrier concentration profiles in Al‐implanted Ge. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Physical and mechanical properties of C60 under high pressures and high temperatures

The physical and mechanical properties of a C₆₀ fullerene sample have been investigated under high pressure–high temperature conditions using a designer Diamond Anvil Cell. Electrical resistance measurements show evidence of C₆₀ cage collapse at 20 GPa, which leads to the formation of an insulating phase at higher pressure. Energy dispersive X-ray diffraction (EDXD) data indicated that the characteristic fcc reflections gradually decrease in intensity and eventually disappear above 28 GPa. A C₆₀ sample was laser-heated at a pressure of 35 GPa to a temperature of 1910±100 K and, subsequently, decompressed to ambient conditions. The photoluminescence spectra and the Raman spectrum of the pressure–temperature-treated sample were measured at a low temperature of 80 K. Raman peak at 1322.3 cm^?1 with full-width half-maximum of 2.9 cm^?1 was observed from the sample, which is attributed to the hexagonal diamond phase in the sample. The room temperature photoluminescence spectra showed a symmetric emission band centered in the red spectral range with a peak at 690 nm. The structural analysis of the pressure–temperature-processed C₆₀ sample using EDXD method showed strong internal structure orientation and a phase close to hexagonal diamond. Mechanical properties such as hardness and Young’s modulus were measured by nanoindentation technique and the values were found to be 90±7 and 1215±50 GPa, respectively and these values are characteristic of sp³-bonded carbon materials.     

Raman spectroscopic study of the antimonate mineral lewisite (Ca,Fe, Na)2(Sb,Ti)2O6(O,OH)7

The mineral lewisite, (Ca, Fe, Na)₂(Sb, Ti)₂O₆(O, OH)₇, an antimony-bearing mineral, has been studied by Raman spectroscopy. A comparison is made with the Raman spectra of other minerals, including bindheimite, stibiconite, and roméite. The mineral lewisite is characterised by an intense sharp band at 517 cm^?1 with a shoulder at 507 cm^?1 assigned to SbO stretching modes. Raman bands of medium intensity for lewisite are observed at 300, 356, and 400 cm^?1. These bands are attributed to OSbO bending vibrations. Raman bands in the OH stretching region are observed at 3200, 3328, 3471 cm^?1, with a distinct shoulder at 3542 cm^?1. The latter is assigned to the stretching vibration of OH units. The first three bands are attributed to water stretching vibrations. The observation of bands in the 3200–3500 cm^?1 region suggests that water is involved in the lewisite structure. If this is the case then the formula may be better written as (Ca, Fe²⁺, Na)₂(Sb, Ti)₂(O, OH)₇ xH₂O.     

A non‐destructive approach for doping profiles characterization by micro‐Raman spectroscopy: the case of B‐implanted Ge

B‐implanted Ge samples have been investigated by micro‐Raman spectroscopy under different excitation wavelengths, with the aim of gaining insights about the B distribution at different depths beneath the sample surface. The intensities, observed under the different excitation wavelengths, of the B–Ge Raman peak at about 545 cm⁻¹, which is due to the local vibrational mode of the substitutional B atoms in the Ge matrix, have been used to calibrate the optical absorption lengths in B‐implanted Ge. Then, by using these calibrated values, a very sharp correlation between the spectral features of the Ge–Ge Raman peak at ~300 cm⁻¹ and the content of substitutional B atoms has been derived. Accordingly, a non‐destructive approach, based on micro‐Raman spectroscopy under different excitation wavelengths, is presented to estimate, at least at the lowest depths, the carrier concentration profiles from the spectral features of the Ge–Ge Raman peak. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Raman spectroscopy of melamine at high pressures up to 60 GPa

In this work, the Raman scattering of melamine was studied under high pressure up to 60 GPa. The behavior of the most intensive peaks of the Raman spectrum of melamine, 677 cm^?1 and 985 cm^?1 modes, and their line widths do not show any phase transition or indication of formation of sp ³ bonds. Comparing the behavior of the line width of the Raman peaks of graphite under pressure and that of melamine leads us to conclude that the s-triasine (C–N) ring is more rigid than the C–C graphite ring. High pressure results with melamine suggest that the direct phase transition g-C₃N₄ to dense C₃N₄ phase should occur above 60 GPa.     

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.     

Phase transformation in Ni–Mn–Sn ferromagnetic shape memory alloy thin films induced by dense ionization

The effects of 200 MeV Au ions irradiation on the structural and magnetic properties of Ni–Mn–Sn ferromagnetic shape memory alloy (FSMA) thin films have been systematically investigated. In order to understand the role of initial microstructure and phase of the film with respect to high energy irradiation, the two types of Ni–Mn–Sn FSMA films having different phases at room temperature were irradiated, one in martensite phase (Ni_58.9Mn_28.0Sn_13.1) and other in austenite phase (Ni₅₀Mn_35.6Sn_14.4). Transmission electron microscope (TEM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) images along with the diffraction patterns of X-rays and electrons confirm that martensite phase transforms to austenite phase at a fluence of 6×10¹² ions/cm² and a complete amorphization occurs at a fluence of 3×10¹³ ions/cm², whereas ion irradiation has a minimal effect on the austenitic structure (Ni₅₀Mn_35.6Sn_14.4). Thermo-magnetic measurements also support the above mentioned behaviour of Ni–Mn–Sn FSMA films with increasing fluence of 200 MeV Au ions. The results are explained on the basis of thermal spike model considering the core and halo regions of ion tracks in FSMA materials.     

Vibrational Spectroscopy of the Borate Mineral Priceite—Implications for the Molecular Structure

ABSTRACT

Priceite is a calcium borate mineral and occurs as white crystals in the monoclinic pyramidal crystal system. We have used a combination of Raman spectroscopy with complimentary infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy with Energy-dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) to study the mineral priceite. Chemical analysis shows a pure phase consisting of B and Ca only. Raman bands at 956, 974, 991, and 1019 cm^?1 are assigned to the BO stretching vibration of the B₁₀O₁₉ units. Raman bands at 1071, 1100, 1127, 1169, and 1211 cm^?1 are attributed to the BOH in-plane bending modes. The intense infrared band at 805 cm^?1 is assigned to the trigonal borate stretching modes. The Raman band at 674 cm^?1 together with bands at 689, 697, 736, and 602 cm^?1 are assigned to the trigonal and tetrahedral borate bending modes. Raman spectroscopy in the hydroxyl stretching region shows a series of bands with intense Raman band at 3555 cm^?1 with a distinct shoulder at 3568 cm^?1. Other bands in this spectral region are found at 3221, 3385, 3404, 3496, and 3510 cm^?1. All of these bands are assigned to water stretching vibrations. The observation of multiple bands supports the concept of water being in different molecular environments in the structure of priceite. The molecular structure of a natural priceite has been assessed using vibrational spectroscopy.     

Raman spectroscopy of CaM2+Ge2O6 (M2+ = Mg,Mn, Fe,Co, Ni,Zn) clinopyroxenes

The Raman spectra of Ge‐clinopyroxenes CaM²⁺Ge₂O₆ (M²⁺ = Mg, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn), general formula M2M1T₂O₆, are reported for the first time. Their spectral features are discussed in comparison with corresponding Si‐pyroxenes. The vibrational wavenumbers of germanates may be roughly obtained by a scale factor of about ~0.8 by those of the corresponding silicates, due to the Ge‐Si mass difference. The main peaks in the germanate Raman spectra at ~850 and ~540 cm⁻¹ may be related to Ge‐O tetrahedral stretching and chain bending, respectively; minor peaks between 200 and 400 cm⁻¹ are ascribed to bending and stretching of the non‐tetrahedral cations. Within Ge‐pyroxenes, possible correlations between crystallographic parameters and the vibrational wavenumbers are investigated. The main stretching mode at ~850 cm⁻¹ shows wavenumber changes with M²⁺ substitutions, but no simple correlation can be found with M²⁺ cation mass or size. On the other hand, the chain bending wavenumber linearly decreases with increasing ionic radius of the M²⁺ cation: the expansion of the M1 polyhedron reduces the chain kinking angle and the Ge‐Ge distances correspondingly increase. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Raman scattering and electrical studies of the phase stability in the Hg<Subscript>1−x</Subscript>Cd<Subscript>x</Subscript>Te

Raman scattering is performed to access phase stability in the boron-implanted Hg_0.7Cd_0.3Te with fluences ranging from 1 × 10¹² to 1 × 10¹⁵ cm^?2. Threshold fluence for the formation of an amorphous phase is invoked here using Thomas–Fermi statistical model. Asymmetric broadening and red shift of the Raman active HgTe-like LO phonon mode are observed with varying fluencies. Electrical properties such as sheet carrier concentration and mobility are also changed with the fluence and reach their saturated values beyond threshold fluence of 5 × 10¹³ cm^?2. Threshold fluence for the formation of amorphous phase is also validated by the Raman measurements and electrical transport properties in the implanted layers. The excess free energy of 6.8 kJ/mole is found corresponding to the threshold fluence for phase transition.     

Optic-mode coupling in ferroelectric gadolinium molybdate

Separate measurements of the A₁(TO) and A₁(LO) Raman spectra of ferroelectric gadolinium molybdate at 80°K and above have elucidated the origin of the anomalous temperature dependence of the two lowest frequency lines in the A₁(TO) spectrum. The observed behavior is postulated to be the result of coupling among modes at 44.5, 51.5, and 83 cm^?1 (at 80°K). The 44.5 and 83 cm^?1 modes become the degenerate, soft zone-boundary modes of the paraelectric phase while the 51.5 cm^?1 mode changes to B₂ symmetry. The two lowest frequency lines are the same as those observed previously in i.r. absorption.     

Structural investigation of Te-based chalcogenide glasses using Raman spectroscopy

Structural changes of metals (Zn, Sb, In, Ga) and metal halides (AgI, ZnI₂, CdI₂, PbI₂, BiI₃) modified GeTe₄ glasses were investigated with the aid of Raman spectroscopy. The Raman spectra of these glasses in the frequency region between 100 cm^?1 and 300 cm^?1 display four main bands at about 124, 140, 159 and 275 cm^?1 which are contributed by Ge–Te, Te–Te, Te–Te and Ge–Ge vibration modes. The intensity of 159 cm^?1 and 275 cm^?1 bands vary with the addition of different glass modifiers. While the relative intensity of the 124 cm^?1 and 140 cm^?1 bands are insensitive to composition changes. Glass modifiers like Zn, In and Sb act as glass network unstabilizer which will disorganize the glass network by opening up the chain structures of Ge–Te and Te–Te. In the case of Ga and metal halides, Ga can open up Ge–(Te–Te)_4/2 tetrahedra and form Ga–(Te–Te)_3/2 triangle. Iodine can form covalent bonds with tellurium and decrease the tendency of microcrystal formation. Thus both Ga and iodine ultimately act as glass network stabilizer.     

Phonons and magnetic order in ferromagnetic CdCr2Se4 and CdCr2S4

Measurements are reported of the Raman effect on single crystal ferromagnetic CdCr₂Se₄ and CdCr₂S₄ as a function of temperature. The lines observed at 158 cm^?1, 172 cm^?1 and 241 cm^?1 for CdCr₂Se₄ and 257 cm^?1, 281 cm^?1 and 396 cm^?1 for CdCr₂S₄ have been identified as due toГ ₁₂ ⁺ ,Г ₂₅ ⁺ andГ ₁ ⁺ phonons, respectively. Certain lines ofГ ₁ ⁺ orГ ₂₅ ⁺ symmetry, observed in both materials, show a temperature dependence of the intensity which resembles the behaviour of the spin correlation function. Some of these lines also exhibit a symmetry change at the Curie point. A group theoretical analysis of the eigenvectors of the Raman active modes is given. The results are interpreted in terms of a model proposed by Baltensperger which involves the ion position dependence of the magnetic exchange interaction in order to couple spin system and phonons. The weak frequency shift of the lines, which occurs predominantly in the ordered state, is interpreted in terms of the same model.