Raman spectroscopic study of the vivianite arsenate minerals

The molecular structures of the vivianite-type arsenate minerals were studied using a combination of Raman and infrared spectroscopy. The Raman spectra of the hydroxyl-stretching regions are complex with overlapping bands at 3419, 3209, 3185 and 3010 cm-1. This complexity is reflected in the water HOH bending modes with strong infrared bands in the 1660-1685 cm-1 region indicating strong hydrogen bonding to arsenate anions in adjacent layers. The Raman arsenate AsO stretching region shows strong similarity between the vivianite arsenate minerals. In the infrared spectra complexity exists with multiple antisymmetric stretching vibrations observed, indicating a reduction of symmetry. Strong infrared bands around 700 and 560 cm-1 are attributed to librational modes of water. Vibrational spectra enable the structure of the minerals to be determined and, whilst similarities exist in the spectral patterns, sufficient differences exist to determine the identification of the minerals. In particular, Raman spectroscop assists in the identification of the complex isomorphous substitution in these vivianite arsenate minerals.