Raman Spectra of Synthetic ‘Braggite’, (Pd,Pt,Ni)S

R. K. W. Merkle1, R. Pikl2, S. M. C. Verryn1 and D. De Waal2
1 Applied Mineralogy Group, Department of Geology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
2 Department of Chemistry, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa

Abstract: Raman spectra of synthetic ‘braggite’ ((Pd,Pt,Ni)S) vary systematically with changes in Pt/Pd ratios, but this change is less pronounced than in ‘cooperite’ ((Pt,Pd,Ni)S). Compared to ‘vysotskite’ (ideally PdS), the incorporation of Pt leads to broadening of bands but the spectra of ‘vysotskite’ and ‘braggite’ are similar, and spectra of ‘cooperite’ and the ‘braggite/vysotskite’ solid-solution series are sufficiently different to facilitate distinction of these platinum group minerals by Raman spectroscopy.

Keywords: Raman spectroscopy • braggite • mineral chemistry • platinum group minerals

Mineralogical Magazine; June 1999 v. 63; no. 3; p. 363-367; DOI: 10.1180/002646199548583
© 1999, The Mineralogical Society
Mineralogical Society (www.minersoc.org)