title: Vibrational spectroscopic characterization of the phosphate mineral althausite Mg2(PO4)(OH,F,O)--implications for the molecular structure.
abstract: Natural single-crystal specimens of althausite from Brazil, with general formula Mg2(PO4)(OH,F,O) were investigated by Raman and infrared spectroscopy. The mineral occurs as a secondary product in granitic pegmatites. The Raman spectrum of althausite is characterized by bands at 1020, 1033 and 1044 cm(-1), assigned to ν1 symmetric stretching modes of the HOPO3(3-) and PO4(3-) units. Raman bands at around 1067, 1083 and 1138 cm(-1) are attributed to both the HOP and PO antisymmetric stretching vibrations. The set of Raman bands observed at 575, 589 and 606 cm(-1) are assigned to the ν4 out of plane bending modes of the PO4 and H2PO4 units. Raman bands at 439, 461, 475 and 503 cm(-1) are attributed to the ν2 PO4 and H2PO4 bending modes. Strong Raman bands observed at 312, 346 cm(-1) with shoulder bands at 361, 381 and 398 cm(-1) are assigned to MgO stretching vibrations. No bands which are attributable to water were found. Vibrational spectroscopy enables aspects of the molecular structure of althausite to be assessed.
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry, Physics and Mechanical Engineering, Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology, GPO Box 2434, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia. Electronic address: r.frost@qut.edu.au.
authors.forename: Ray L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Frost
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry, Physics and Mechanical Engineering, Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology, GPO Box 2434, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia.
authors.forename: Andrés
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: López
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry, Physics and Mechanical Engineering, Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology, GPO Box 2434, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia.
authors.forename: Yunfei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xi
authors.affiliation: Geology Department, School of Mines, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Campus Morro do Cruzeiro, Ouro Preto, MG 35,400-00, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Scholz
mesh_terms: D017616:Magnesium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D008903:Minerals / Q000737:chemistry*; D010710:Phosphates / Q000737:chemistry*; D013055:Spectrophotometry, Infrared; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman
chemical_list: D017616:Magnesium Compounds; D008903:Minerals; D010710:Phosphates; C030781:magnesium phosphate
keywords: Althausite; Infrared; Pegmatite; Phosphate; Raman