Low Temperature Far IR Spectroscopy of Water in Opal

Project Member(s): Thomas, P., Stuart, B.

Funding or Partner Organisation: Australian Synchrotron Research Program (Australian Synchrotron Beamline)
Australian Synchrotron Research Program (Australian Synchrotron Beamline)

Start year: 2021

Summary: The investigation intends to characterise the water in opal using far-IR spectroscopy from 100 to 300K. Far-IR is known to be sensitive to the morphology and environment of the water. As opal contains a number of states of molecular water ranging from crystallisable water in voids and capillaries, to non-crystallisable surface adsorbed water and cage water, temperature dependent far-IR spectroscopy will help to deconvolve these types of water in two main classes of opal; opal-A, and opal-CT, further developing the understanding of this precious gem in particular in the context of formation and crazing in opal.

FOR Codes: Mineral Resources (excl. Energy Resources), Chemical Characterisation of Materials, Nanochemistry, Inorganic materials (incl. nanomaterials), Macromolecular materials, MINERAL RESOURCES (EXCL. ENERGY RESOURCES)

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.