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

Ray L Frost; Jirí Cejka; Marilla J Dickfos

doi:10.1016/j.saa.2008.06.041

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

Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc. 2009 Jan;71(5):1799-803. doi: 10.1016/j.saa.2008.06.041. Epub 2008 Jul 9.

Authors

Ray L Frost¹, Jirí Cejka, Marilla J Dickfos

Affiliation

¹ School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia. r.frost@qut.edu.au

PMID: 18691935
DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2008.06.041

Abstract

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.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Arsenates / chemistry*
Minerals / chemistry*
Spectrophotometry, Infrared
Spectrum Analysis, Raman
Uranium / chemistry*
Uranium Compounds / chemistry*

Substances

Arsenates
Minerals
Uranium Compounds
Uranium