Infrared Spectra of Three MIMIIIS2 Type Synthetic Minerals: (MI = Ag OR TI, MIII = Sb OR As)

Abstract The infrared spectra of three compounds of the MIMIIIS2 type (smithite, AgAsS2; weissbergite, TlSbS2; and miargyrite, AgSbS2) were studied at room temperature (RT) and at the boiling temperature of liquid nitrogen (LNT). The infrared spectrum of smithite was compared with that of the formally analogous mineral lorandite, TlAsS2. Although the mentioned synthetic minerals have crystal structures, which differ from each other, the infrared spectra of smithite and lorandite, on the one hand, and of weissbergite and miargyrite on the other, are similar. The analysis of the spectra indicate that the Tl-S interaction has a more pronounced ionic character than the Ag-S one.