| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1233251 | Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy | 2015 | 4 Pages |
•We have studied the mineral normandite NaCa(Mn2+,Fe2+)(Ti,Nb,Zr)Si2O7(O,F)2.•Using a combination of scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy and vibrational spectroscopy.•Normandite is a crystalline sodium calcium silicate which contains rare earth elements.
We have studied the mineral normandite using a combination of scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy and vibrational spectroscopy.The mineral normandite NaCa(Mn2+,Fe2+)(Ti,Nb,Zr)Si2O7(O,F)2 is a crystalline sodium calcium silicate which contains rare earth elements. Chemical analysis shows the mineral contains a range of elements including Na, Mn2+, Ca, Fe2+ and the rare earth element niobium. No Raman bands are observed above 1100 cm−1. The mineral is characterised by Raman bands observed at 724, 748, 782 and 813 cm−1. Infrared bands are broad; nevertheless bands may be resolved at 723, 860, 910, 958, 933, 1057 and 1073 cm−1. Intense Raman bands at 454, 477 and 513 cm−1 are attributed to OSiO bending modes. No Raman bands are observed in the hydroxyl stretching region, but low intensity infrared bands are observed at 3191 and 3450 cm−1. This observation brings into question the true formula of the mineral.
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