Molecular structure of halotrichite using selected spectroscopic methods

A holotrichite mineral sample from Corral Hollow California, USA is used in the present study. It is evident from the chemical analysis that the mineral contains FeO = 6.8, Al2O3 = 12.0, SO3 = 37.1 and H2O = 43.8 wt.%. An EPR study on powdered sample confirms the presence of manganese and iron. The optical absorption spectrum also reveals the presence of iron and manganese impurities in distorted octahedral environment. NIR results confirm the presence of water fundamentals.