A Raman spectroscopic study of the mono-hydrogen phosphate mineral dorfmanite Na2(PO3OH)·2H2O and in comparison with brushite

Aspects of the molecular structure of the mineral dorfmanite Na2(PO3OH)·2H2O were determined by Raman spectroscopy. The mineral originated from the Kedykverpakhk Mt., Lovozero, Kola Peninsula, Russia. Raman bands are assigned to the hydrogen phosphate units. The intense Raman band at 949 cm−1 and the less intense band at 866 cm−1 are assigned to the PO3 and POH stretching vibrations. Bands at 991, 1066 and 1141 cm−1 are assigned to the ν3 antisymmetric stretching modes. Raman bands at 393, 413 and 448 cm−1 and 514, 541 and 570 cm−1 are attributed to the ν2 and ν4 bending modes of the HPO4 units, respectively. Raman bands at 3373, 3443 and 3492 cm−1 are assigned to water stretching vibrations. POH stretching vibrations are identified by bands at 2904, 3080 and 3134 cm−1. Raman spectroscopy has proven very useful for the study of the structure of the mineral dorfmanite.

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► Minerals with the hydrogen phosphate units have not been researched.
► Raman bands of dorfmanite are assigned to PO3 and HO–P stretching vibrations.
► Raman bands are attributed to POH stretching bands.
► A comparison of the spectrum of dorfmanite and brushite is made.