Vibrational spectroscopy of the phosphate mineral kovdorskite - Mg2PO4(OH)-3H2O.

Abstract

The mineral kovdorskite Mg2PO4(OH)_3H2O was studied by electron microscopy, thermal analysis and vibrational spectroscopy. A comparison of the vibrational spectroscopy of kovdorskite is made with other magnesium bearing phosphate minerals and compounds. Electron probe analysis proves the mineral is very pure. The Raman spectrum is characterized by a band at 965 cm_1 attributed to the PO3_ 4 m1 symmetric stretching mode. Raman bands at 1057 and 1089 cm_1 are attributed to the PO3_ 4 m3 antisymmetric stretching modes. Raman bands at 412, 454 and 485 cm_1 are assigned to the PO3_ 4 m2 bending modes. Raman bands at 536, 546 and 574 cm_1 are assigned to the PO3_ 4 m4 bending modes. The Raman spectrum in the OH stretching region is dominated by a very sharp intense band at 3681 cm_1 assigned to the stretching vibration of OH units. Infrared bands observed at 2762, 2977, 3204, 3275 and 3394 cm_1 are attributed to water stretching bands. Vibrational spectroscopy shows that no carbonate bands are observed in the spectra; thus confirming the formula of the mineral as Mg2PO4(OH)_3H2O.