Fedorite from Murun Alkaline Complex (Russia): Spectroscopy and Crystal Chemical Features

Tinaksite and Tokkoite: X-ray Powder Diffraction, Optical, and Vibrational Properties

In this study, natural tinaksite (K2Ca2NaTi[Si7O18OH]O) and tokkoite (K2Ca4[Si7O18OH](OH,F)) collected in charoite rocks of the Murun alkaline massif (Siberia, Russia) were examined by X-ray diffraction and optical and vibrational spectroscopic methods. A comparative analysis of the experimental diffraction patterns with respect to the calculated X-ray powder diffraction patterns was carried out for tinaksite and tokkoite powders. The shift in the diffraction peaks of tinaksite is explained by the smaller values of the unit cell parameters a and b as compared with those of tokkoite. A similar shift of the peaks is also observed in the Raman and infrared absorption spectra; however, this feature is explained by the difference in the chemical composition of the minerals. The shoulder in the absorption spectra at about 800 nm in tinaksite and 700 nm in tokkoite corresponds to the presence of Mn2+ and Fe3+ absorption bands, the presence of which determines the color of tinaksite and tokkoite. The luminescence band with a maximum at about 540–550 nm in the photoluminescence spectra is related to Mn2+ centers, while an additional band at about 610 nm can be associated with Ti3+ centers in tinaksite. The intensity of the Fe3+ ESR signal increases in both samples after heating, while the intensities of the bands associated with OH groups decrease in tinaksite and tokkoite. This characteristic is the result of iron oxidation and dehydrogenation reaction.

New Insights into the Crystal Chemistry of Elpidite, Na2Zr[Si6O15]·3H2O and (Na1+YCax□1-X-Y)Σ=2Zr[Si6O15]·(3-X)H2O, and Ab Initio Modeling of IR Spectra

Elpidite belongs to a special group of microporous zirconosilicates, which are of great interest due to their capability to uptake various molecules and ions, e.g., some radioactive species, in their structural voids. The results of a combined electron probe microanalysis and single-crystal X-ray diffraction study of the crystals of elpidite from Burpala (Russia) and Khan-Bogdo (Mongolia) deposits are reported. Some differences in the chemical compositions are observed and substitution at several structural positions within the structure of the compounds are noted. Based on the obtained results, a detailed crystal–chemical characterization of the elpidites under study was carried out. Three different structure models of elpidite were simulated: Na₂ZrSi₆O₁₅·3H₂O (related to the structure of Russian elpidite), partly Ca-replaced Na_1.5Ca_0.25ZrSi₆O₁₅·2.75H₂O (close to elpidite from Mongolia), and a hypothetical CaZrSi₆O₁₅·2H₂O. The vibration spectra of the models were obtained and compared with the experimental one, taken from the literature. The strong influence of water molecule vibrations on the shape of IR spectra of studied structural models of elpidite is discussed in the paper.

Relationships between the Structural, Vibrational, and Optical Properties of Microporous Cancrinite

The crystal-chemical, vibrational, and optical properties of microporous aluminosilicate cancrinite have been investigated by combining electron probe microanalysis, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, infrared (IR) absorption, Raman, UV-Visible absorption, and electron spin resonance spectroscopy. The behavior of the peaks in the IR spectra was also studied during the dehydration of the sample. The analyzed sample has the following unit cell parameters (P63): a = 12.63189(14) Å, c = 5.13601(7) Å. The empirical formula, based on 12(Si + Al), is Na6.47Ca1.23K0.01[Al5.97Si6.03O24] (CO3)1.45(SO4)0.03Cl0.01·2H2O. The Al-Si framework of AB-type is formed by columns of based-shared “cancrinite” (CAN) cages, containing Na and H2O positions located on the 3-fold axis, and channels with CO3 groups, lying in two mutually exclusive and partially occupied positions in the center of the channel, and split Na/Ca cation sites. The revealed characteristics are somewhat different in comparison with the cancrinite structural features previously described in the literature. Studied crystals change color from grayish-pink to blue after X-ray irradiation (104 Gy). The blue color of the irradiated cancrinite is caused by the formation (CO3)−● radicals in the crystals. Combining the results obtained using the selected methods will provide a better understanding of the relationships between the structural, chemical, and optical-physical properties of microporous aluminosilicates.

Spectroscopic and Crystal-Chemical Features of Sodalite-Group Minerals from Gem Lazurite Deposits

Five samples of differently colored sodalite-group minerals from gem lazurite deposits were studied by means of electron microprobe and wet chemical analyses, infrared, Raman, electron spin resonance (ESR) and UV-Visible spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Various extra-framework components (SO42−, S2− and Cl− anions, S3•−, S2•− and SO3•− radical anions, H2O, CO2, COS, cis- as well as trans- or gauche-S4 neutral molecules have been identified. It is shown that S3•− and S4 are the main blue and purple chromophores, respectively, whereas the S2•− yellow chromophore and SO3•− blue chromophore play a subordinate role. X-ray diffraction patterns of all samples of sodalite-group minerals from lazurite deposits studied in this work contain superstructure reflections which indicate different kinds of incommensurate modulation of the structures.