Thermal analysis and infrared emission spectroscopy of the borate mineral colemanite (CaB3O4(OH)3·H2O)

Abstract

Colemanite CaB3O4(OH)3·H2O is a secondary borate mineral formed from borax and ulexite in evaporate deposits of alkaline lacustrine sediments. The basic structure of colemanite contains endless chains of interlocking BO2(OH) triangles and BO3(OH) tetrahedrons with the calcium, water and extra hydroxide units interspersed between these chains. We have studied the thermal decomposition of colemanite by using a combination of thermal analysis (TG/DTG) and infrared emission spectroscopy (IES). Thermogravimetric analysis of the colemanite mineral was obtained by using TA Instruments Inc. Q50 high-resolution TGA operating at a 10 °C min−1 ramp with data sample interval of 0.50 s pt−1 from room temperature to 1000 °C in a high-purity flowing nitrogen atmosphere (100 cm3 min−1). Thermogravimetric analysis shows a sharp mass loss at 400.9 °C. Only a single mass loss is observed. IES shows a sharp band at 3610 cm−1 assigned to the stretching vibration of hydroxyl units. Intensity in this band is lost by 350 °C. A broad spectral feature is observed at 3274 cm−1 attributed to water stretching vibrations. Intensity in this band is lost by 300 °C. A combination of thermogravimetry and IES is used to study the thermal stability of the borate mineral colemanite. It is important to characterize the very wide range of borate minerals including colemanite because of the very wide range of applications of boron-containing minerals.