Molecular structure of the mineral svanbergite SrAl3(PO4,SO4)2(OH)6 – A vibrational spectroscopic study

The mineral svanbergite SrAl3(PO4,SO4)2(OH)6 is a hydroxy phosphate–sulphate mineral belonging to the beudantite subgroup of alunites and has been characterised by vibrational spectroscopy. Bands at various wavenumbers were assigned to the different vibrational modes of svanbergite, which were then associated with the structure of the mineral. Bands were primarily assigned to phosphate and sulphate stretching and bending modes. Two symmetric stretching modes for both phosphate and sulphate supported the concept of non-equivalent phosphate and sulphate units in the mineral structure. Bands in the OH stretching region enabled hydrogen bond distances to be calculated. Comparison of the hydrogen bond distances and the calculated hydrogen bond distances from the structure models indicates that hydrogen bonding in svanbergite occurs between the two OH units rather than OH to SO42- units.

► The mineral svanbergite SrAl3(PO4,SO4)2(OH)6 is a hydroxy phosphate–sulphate mineral belonging to the beudantite subgroup of alunites. ► Characterised by vibrational spectroscopy. ► Bands at various wavenumbers were assigned to the different vibrational modes of svanbergite, associated to the structure of the mineral. ► Bands were primarily assigned to phosphate and sulphate stretching and bending modes. ► Two symmetric stretching modes for both phosphate and sulphate supported the concept of non-equivalent phosphate and sulphate units in the mineral structure.