Raman spectroscopy of synthetic CaHPO 4 ·2H 2 O– and in comparison with the cave mineral brushite

The mineral brushite has been synthesised by mixing calcium ions and hydrogen phosphate anions to mimic the reactions in caves. The vibrational spectra of the synthesised brushite were compared with that of the natural cave mineral. Bands attributable to the PO 4 3– and HPO 4 2– anions are observed. Brushite, both synthetic and natural, is characterised by an intense sharp band at 985 cm −1 with a shoulder at 1000 cm −1 . Characteristic bending modes are observed in the 300 to 600 cm −1 region. The spectra of the synthesised brushite matches very well the spectrum of brushite from the Moorba Cave, Western Australia. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.