Microwave techniques for the synthesis and deuteration of minerals, with particular reference to scorodite, FeAsO4.2H2O

Microwave dielectric heating methods for the preparation of a number of arsenate, phosphate, vanadate, molybdate and carbonate minerals and their deuterated analogues are reported; rapid and efficient syntheses of these have been achieved. The application of this to the study of vibrational spectroscopy of minerals is discussed, with particular reference to scorodite.