Infrared studies of aragonite, calcite, and vaterite type structures in the borates, carbonates, and nitrates

Infrared absorption spectra have been obtained on the alkali nitrates, the divalent metal carbonates, and the rare earth borates which assume the aragonite, calcite, or vaterite crystal structures. It was observed that similar structures give rise to analogous spectra except for the carbonate and borates having the vaterite structure. The marked differences observed in these latter spectra are discussed. Frequency shifts produced by cation substitution are ascribed to repulsion between closed electron shells of oxygen atoms. It is concluded that this repulsive force determines the structure type in the rare earth borates.