Infrared and Raman spectroscopic characterization of the carbonate mineral weloganite – Sr3Na2Zr(CO3)6·3H2O and in comparison with selected carbonates

The mineral weloganite Na2Sr3Zr(CO3)6·3H2O has been studied by using vibrational spectroscopy and a comparison is made with the spectra of weloganite with other carbonate minerals. Weloganite is member of the mckelveyite group that includes donnayite-(Y) and mckelveyite-(Y).The Raman spectrum of weloganite is characterized by an intense band at 1082 cm−1 with shoulder bands at 1061 and 1073 cm−1, attributed to the CO32- symmetric stretching vibration. The observation of three symmetric stretching vibrations is very unusual. The position of CO32- symmetric stretching vibration varies with mineral composition. The Raman bands at 1350, 1371, 1385, 1417, 1526, 1546, and 1563 cm−1 are assigned to the ν3 (CO3)2− antisymmetric stretching mode. The observation of additional Raman bands for the ν3 modes for weloganite is significant in that it shows distortion of the carbonate anion in the mineral structure. The Raman band observed at 870 cm−1 is assigned to the (CO3)2− ν2 bending mode. Raman bands observed for weloganite at 679, 682, 696, 728, 736, 749, and 762 cm−1 are assigned to the (CO3)2− ν4 bending modes. A comparison of the vibrational spectra is made with that of the rare earth carbonates decrespignyite, bastnasite, hydroxybastnasite, parisite, and northupite.

► We have studied the mineral weloganite Na2Sr3Zr(CO3)6·3H2O using vibrational spectroscopy.
► Weloganite is member of the mckelveyite group, that includes donnayite-(Y) and mckelveyite-(Y).
► A comparison is made with the spectra of weloganite with other carbonate minerals.