Boltwoodite [K(UO2)(SiO3OH)(H2O)1.5] and compreignacite K2[(UO2)3O2(OH)3]2.7H2O characterized by laser fluorescence spectroscopy.
Synthetically prepared boltwoodite and compreignacite were characterized with time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS). The obtained TRLFS emission spectra of both synthesized uranium minerals differ from each other in their positions of the vibronic peak maxima and in their fluorescence lifetimes. Also, the shapes of the spectra and their respective intensities are different. The TRLFS-spectrum of boltwoodite showed well-resolved sharp vibronic peaks at 485.1, 501.5, 521.2, 543.0, 567.4, and 591.4nm with deep notches between them and compreignacite is characterized by two broad peaks with various shoulders. Here five emission bands were identified at 500.7, 516.1, 532.4, 554.3, and 579.6nm. The shape of the TRLFS spectra of compreignacite is typical for uranium in a hydroxide coordination environment. For both minerals two fluorescence lifetimes were extracted. The two species of boltwoodite and compreignacite, respectively, showed the same positions of the peak maxima showing that the coordination environments are similar, but differ in the chemistry and number of possible quenchers, e.g. water molecules and hydroxide groups. For boltwoodite fluorescence lifetimes of 382 and 2130ns, and for compreignacite shorter ones of 202 and 914ns, respectively, were determined. The spectroscopic signatures of the two uranyl minerals reported here could be useful for identifying uranyl(VI) mineral species as colloids, as thin coatings on minerals, as minor component in soils, or as alteration products of nuclear waste.