Vibrational spectroscopy of the phosphate mineral kovdorskite – Mg2PO4(OH)⋅3H2O

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 PO4(3-) ν1 symmetric stretching mode. Raman bands at 1057 and 1089 cm(-1) are attributed to the PO4(3-) ν3 antisymmetric stretching modes. Raman bands at 412, 454 and 485 cm(-1) are assigned to the PO4(3-) ν2 bending modes. Raman bands at 536, 546 and 574 cm(-1) are assigned to the PO4(3-) ν4 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.