Plumbogummite (PbAl3(PO4)2(OH)5⋅H2O) Characterization by XPS: An Environmentally Important Secondary Mineral

• Published in: Surface science spectra 1999-07, Vol.6 (3), p.202-209
• Main Authors: Eighmy, T. Taylor, Kinner, Amy E., Shaw, Elisabeth L., Eusden, J. Dykstra, Francis, Carl A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1055-5269; 1520-8575
• DOI: 10.1116/1.1247926

Plumbogummite (PbAl3(PO4)2(OH)5⋅H2O) is an environmentally important secondary phosphate mineral. We have used XPS to study the binding energy of primary photoelectrons from the air-exposed surface of a sample of dull blue botryoidal or tuberose masses. The sample is from Cumberland, England and was supplied by Excalibur-Cureton Mineral Company. General survey and high-resolution spectra were collected using a Perkin Elmer Physical Electronics 5200C spectrometer. Charge corrected binding energies for the Pb 4f7/2, Pb 4f5/2, P 2p3/2, P 2p1/2, O 1s, and Al 2p photoelectrons are reported. Two species of Pb were observed; likely representing a mixture of both plumbogummite and PbO. Additionally, charge corrected binding energies for Si 2p are reported. The Si is from the host quartz. The reported binding energies are useful in identifying environmentally important lead-phosphate minerals such as plumbogummite in ore bodies, soils, sediments, and phosphate-stabilized waste systems.