CHARACTERIZATION OF GEOLOGICAL MATERIALS USING VIBRATIONAL SPECTROSCOPY

Vibrational spectroscopy was employed to measure the amount of TiO2, ZrO2, CeO2, Cr2O3, Y2O3, and other metal oxides in a given mineral sample. Quantitative estimation of these oxides in a given mineral sample can assist in determining mineral chemistry. Determination of mineral chemistry can often lead geologists to unravel the geologic history of a particular formation containing index minerals. In addition, a number of these heavy metal oxides have industrial applications and the importance of having robust method for quantification is quite evident. Pure compounds of metal oxides were studied by using FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared) spectroscopy. Results obtained from FTIR spectroscopy showed broad bands for Cr2O3, Y2O3 and TiO2 ca 1400-1700 cm-1. CeO2 and Y2O3 had a characteristic peak at about 700 – 800 cm-1. Preliminary vibrational spectroscopic investigations involving mineral separates demonstrated the effectiveness of this technique for quantitative measurement of metal oxides in geological samples.