Density functional theory study and kinetic analysis of the formation mechanism of Al30O8(OH)56(H2O)26 (Al30) in aqueous solution

The formation mechanism of Al₃₀O₈(OH)₅₆(H₂O)₂₆¹⁸⁺ (Al₃₀) has been investigated by the density functional theory based on the supermolecule model and kinetic analysis on the ²⁷Al nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experimental results in monitoring Al₃₀ synthesis process. The theoretical chemistry calculations on the four possible schemes show that δ-Na-Al₁₃ is the reasonable intermediate followed by the substitution of Na with Al to form δ-Al₁₄, and Na⁺ plays an important role in stabilizing the intermediate (δ-Na-Al₁₃) in the transformation. The kinetic analysis on the ²⁷Al NMR experimental data indicates that ε-Al₁₃ decomposes and isomerizes in the formation of Al₃₀, while Al monomers facilitate the decomposition of ε-Al₁₃ and so the isomerization of ε-isomers to δ-isomers effectively. The favorable formation mechanism of Al₃₀ includes three steps: (1) ε-Al₁₃ decomposes and rearranges into the isomer δ-Al₁₃; (2) Na⁺ reacts with δ-Al₁₃ to stabilize the intermediate δ-Na-Al₁₃, followed by Al monomers replacing Na to form δ-Al₁₄; (3) δ-Al₁₄ reacts with the Al monomers in the solution to finally form Al₃₀. Both Al monomers and Na⁺ are important in the transformation. Al monomers are the basic building units and helpful to the isomerization while Na⁺ can well stabilize the isomer δ-Al₁₃ to yield intermediate δ-Na-Al₁₃. The results also show that other isomers of ε-Al₁₃ (β-Al₁₃ and α-Al₁₃) form in the formation of Al₃₀, and their calculated ²⁷Al NMR tetrahedral resonance shifts are consistent with the experimental ²⁷Al NMR tetrahedral signals in the preparation process of Al₃₀.     

Density functional studies of the structural characteristics, Al NMR chemical shifts and water-exchange reactions of Al30O8(OH)56(H2O)26(Al30) in aqueous solution

In this paper, the structure of the Al₃₀O₈(OH)₅₆(H₂O)₂₆¹⁸⁺(Al₃₀) polyoxocation in aqueous solution is investigated, including an exploration of its water-exchange reaction using a supramolecular model. Thirty-one solvent water molecules were explicitly included in the supramolecular model to approximate the influence of the solvent. The calculated results indicated that both the gas-phase and the supramolecular models could correctly reproduce the structure of the Al₃₀ polyoxocation, but the supramolecular model described the structure more accurately. Using the supramolecular model, we calculated the ²⁷Al NMR chemical shifts of various aluminum atoms using HF and GIAO methods, and they compared well to the chemical shifts determined experimentally. The water-exchange reaction of the Al₃₀ polyoxocation could not be simulated with the gas phase model because of a proton-transfer reaction that is induced by the highly positive charge of the Al₃₀ polyoxocation. However, the inclusion of an explicit second solvation sphere lowered the acidity of the coordinated water molecules and allowed simulation of the water exchange reaction.     

The kinetics of oxygen exchange between the GeO4Al12(OH)24(OH2)12(aq) molecule and aqueous solutions

We report rates of oxygen exchange with bulk solution for an aqueous complex, ^IVGeO₄Al₁₂(OH)₂₄(OH₂)₁₂⁸⁺(aq) (GeAl₁₂), that is similar in structure to both the ^IVAlO₄Al₁₂(OH)₂₄(OH₂)₁₂⁷⁺(aq) (Al₁₃) and ^IVGaO₄Al₁₂(OH)₂₄(OH₂)₁₂⁷⁺(aq) (GaAl₁₂) molecules studied previously. All of these molecules have ε-Keggin-like structures, but in the GeAl₁₂ molecule, occupancy of the central tetrahedral metal site by Ge(IV) results in a molecular charge of +8, rather than +7, as in the Al₁₃ and GaAl₁₂. Rates of exchange between oxygen sites in this molecule and bulk solution were measured over a temperature range of 274.5 to 289.5 K and 2.95 < pH < 4.58 using ¹⁷O-NMR.Apparent rate parameters for exchange of the bound water molecules (η-OH₂) are k_ex²⁹⁸ = 200 (±100) s⁻¹, ΔH^‡ = 46 (±8) kJ · mol⁻¹, and ΔS^‡ = −46 (±24) J · mol⁻¹ K⁻¹ and are similar to those we measured previously for the GaAl₁₂ and Al₁₃ complexes. In contrast to the Al₁₃ and GaAl₁₂ molecules, we observe a small but significant pH dependence on rates of solvolysis that is not yet fully constrained and that indicates a contribution from the partly deprotonated GeAl₁₂ species.The two topologically distinct μ₂-OH sites in the GeAl₁₂ molecule exchange at greatly differing rates. The more labile set of μ₂-OH sites in the GeAl₁₂ molecule exchange at a rate that is faster than can be measured by the ¹⁷O-NMR isotopic-equilibration technique. The second set of μ₂-OH sites have rate parameters of k_ex²⁹⁸ = 6.6 (±0.2) · 10⁻⁴ s⁻¹, ΔH^‡ = 82 (±2) kJ · mol⁻¹, and ΔS^‡ = −29 (±7) J · mol⁻¹ · K⁻¹, corresponding to exchanges ≈40 and ≈1550 times, respectively, more rapid than the less labile μ₂-OH sites in the Al₁₃ and GaAl₁₂ molecules. We find evidence of nearly first-order pH dependence on the rate of exchange of this μ₂-OH site with bulk solution for the GeAl₁₂ molecule, which contrasts with Al₁₃ and GaAl₁₂ molecules.     

Theoretical exploration of the water exchange mechanism of the polyoxocation GaO4Al12(OH)24(H2O)12 in aqueous solution

Reaction pathways, solvent effects and energy barriers have been investigated for the water exchange of the polyoxocation GaO₄Al₁₂(OH)₂₄(H₂O)₁₂⁷⁺ (K-GaAl₁₂) in aqueous solution by means of supermolecule density functional theory calculations. In the proposed reaction pathway, the supermolecular reactant K-GaAl₁₂15H₂O first loses a water ligand to form an intermediate with a five-coordinated aluminum atom, and then the incoming water molecule in the second coordination sphere attacks the intermediate with a five-coordinated aluminum atom to produce the reaction product. Our calculated results indicate that the water exchange of K-GaAl₁₂ proceeds via a dissociative mechanism, and that the reverse reaction of Step II is the most favorable dissociative pathway, with a barrier height of 31.3 kJ mol⁻¹. The calculated transition-state rate for the favorable dissociative pathway is much larger than the experimental rate constant, but is close to the data calculated for Al₃₀ by molecular dynamics. The transmission coefficient was also predicted on the basis of both the calculated transition-state rate and the experimental rate. Our calculated results also indicate that both the explicit solvent effect and the bulk solvent effect have obvious effects on the barrier heights of the water exchange reaction of K-GaAl₁₂. By comparison, the water exchange mechanism for K-GaAl₁₂ was found to be more similar to that for mineral surfaces than that for monomeric aluminum species.     

Acid dissociation mechanisms of Si(OH)4 and Al(H2O)6 in aqueous solution

Silicic acid and the hexa-aqua of Al³⁺ are fundamental model aqueous species of chemical importance in nature. In order to investigate their hydroxyl dissociation mechanisms, Car-Parrinello molecular dynamics (CPMD) simulations were carried out, which allow treating the solutes and solvents on the same footing. The method of constraint was employed to trigger the reactions by taking coordination number as the reaction coordinate and the thermodynamic integration was used to obtain the free-energy profiles. The approximate transition states were located and the reactant and product states were also characterized. The free-energy changes of dissociation are found about 15.0 kcal/mol and 7.7 kcal/mol for silicic acid and Al-aqua, respectively. From the simulation results, the first pKas were calculated by using two approaches, which are based on the pristine thermodynamic relation and the RDF (radial distribution function)-free energy relation, respectively. Because of more uncertainties involved in the RDF way, it is suggested that the pristine way should be favored, which shows an error margin of 1 pKa unit. This study provides an encouraging basis for applying the present methodology to predict acidity constants of those groups that are difficult to measure experimentally.     

Activation volumes for oxygen exchange between the GaO4Al12(OH)24(H2O)127+(aq) (GaAl12) polyoxocation and aqueous solution from variable pressure O NMR spectroscopy

Activation volumes for exchange of oxygen between bulk aqueous solution and sites in the GaO₄Al₁₂(OH)₂₄(H₂O)₁₂⁷⁺(aq) (GaAl₁₂) complex were measured by variable-pressure ¹⁷O NMR techniques. Near 322 K, rates of exchange for the less labile set of bridging hydroxyls in the GaAl₁₂ decrease by a factor of about two with increasing pressure from 0.1 to 350 MPa. These data indicate a substantially positive activation volume of ΔV^‡ = +7 ± 1 cm³/mol, which is the first activation volume measured for a bridging hydroxyl in a polynuclear complex. This result suggests significant bond-lengthening in the activation step. Electrostriction effects should be small because exchange occurs via a pH-independent path under the experimental conditions. The second, more labile set of bridging hydroxyls exchange too rapidly for the variable-pressure techniques employed here. The exchange of bound-water molecules on the GaAl₁₂ was observed at P = 350 MPa using the ¹⁷O-NMR line-broadening technique. Comparison with previous measurements at 0.1 MPa indicates decreasing line width from 0.1 to 350 MPa for temperatures at which exchange dominates, yielding an activation volume of ΔV^‡ = +3(± 1) cm³/mol. This activation volume is smaller than the value for the Al(H₂O)₆³⁺ complex, suggesting that water exchange on the larger GaAl₁₂ complex has less dissociative character although the average charge density is lower.     

Residence times for protons bound to three oxygen sites in the AlO4Al12(OH)24(H2O)12 polyoxocation

Although, the kinetic reactivity of a mineral surface is determined, in part, by the rates of exchange of surface-bound oxygens and protons with bulk solution, there are no elementary rate data for minerals. However, such kinetic measurements can be made on dissolved polynuclear clusters, and here we report lifetimes for protons bound to three oxygen sites on the AlO₄Al₁₂(OH)₂₄(H₂O)₁₂⁷⁺ (Al₁₃) molecule, which is a model for aluminum-hydroxide solids in water. Proton lifetimes were measured using ¹H NMR at pH ∼ 5 in both aqueous and mixed solvents. The ¹H NMR peak for protons on bound waters (η-H₂O) lies near 8 ppm in a 2.5:1 mixture of H₂O/acetone-d₆ and broadens over the temperature range −20 to −5 °C. Extrapolated to 298 K, the lifetime of a proton on a η-H₂O is τ²⁹⁸ ∼ 0.0002 s, which is surprisingly close to the lifetime of an oxygen in the η-H₂O (∼0.0009 s), but in the same general range as lifetimes for protons on fully protonated monomer ions of trivalent metals (e.g., Al(H₂O)₆³⁺). The lifetime is reduced somewhat by acid addition, indicating that there is a contribution from the partly deprotonated Al₁₃ molecule in addition to the fully protonated Al₁₃ at self-buffered pH conditions. Proton lifetimes on the two distinct sets of hydroxyls bridging two Al(III) (μ₂-OH) differ substantially and are much shorter than the lifetime of an oxygen at these sites. The average lifetimes for hydroxyl protons were measured in a 2:1 mixture of H₂O/dmso-d₆ over the temperature range 3.7-95.2 °C. The lifetime of a hydrogen on one of the μ₂-OH was also measured in D₂O. The τ²⁹⁸ values are ∼0.013 and ∼0.2 s in the H₂O/dmso-d₆ solution and the τ²⁹⁸ value for the μ₂-OH detectable in D₂O is τ²⁹⁸ ∼ 0.013 s. The ¹H NMR peak for the more reactive μ₂-OH broadens slightly with acid addition, indicating a contribution from an exchange pathway that involves a proton or hydronium ion. These data indicate that surface protons on minerals will equilibrate with near-surface waters on the diffusional time scale.     

Solubility of Fe-ettringite (Ca6[Fe(OH)6]2(SO4)3 · 26H2O)

The solubility of Fe-ettringite (Ca₆[Fe(OH)₆]₂(SO₄)₃ · 26H₂O) was measured in a series of precipitation and dissolution experiments at 20 °C and at pH-values between 11.0 and 14.0 using synthesised material. A time-series study showed that equilibrium was reached within 180 days of ageing. After equilibrating, the solid phases were analysed by XRD and TGA while the aqueous solutions were analysed by ICP-OES (calcium, sulphur) and ICP-MS (iron). Fe-ettringite was found to be stable up to pH 13.0. At higher pH-values Fe-monosulphate (Ca₄[Fe(OH)₆]₂(SO₄) · 6H₂O) and Fe-monocarbonate (Ca₄[Fe(OH)₆]₂(CO₃) · 6H₂O) are formed. The solubilities of these hydrates at 25 °C are:      

La sénégalite,Al2 (PO4) (OH)3 · H2O,un nouveau minéral

Senegalite is orthorhombic, mm2, a:b:c:=1.296:1:1.007; $\text{a}{}_0\text{=9.673,}\text{b}{}_0\text{=7.596,}\text{c}{}_0\text{=7.668}\text{A}\text{?}$, Z=4, G_calc=2551; space group Pna2. The strongest lines in the powder pattern are: 5.41(7); 4.089(9); 3.834(10); 3.610(8); 2.990(9); 2.348(8); 2.070(7) 1.929(7); 1.505(7) Å. The chemical analysis: Al₂O₃ ? 46.23; Fe₂O₃ ? 0.28; P₂O₅ ? 31.85 H₂O ? 21.00; sum 99.34, gives a formula Al₂(PO₄)(OH)₃ · H₂O. Colourless optically biaxial positive, n_S: α=1.562, β=1.566, γ=1.587, plane of optical axies (001), Z=a, Y=c; 2V=53°, weak dispersion r > v. Measured density 2.552. The DTA curve shows endothermic reactions at 250, 370 and 440°C corresponding to the dehydration of mineral. Infrared spectrum indicates the presence of OH and H₂O groups. Found in oxidation zone of Kouroudiako iron deposit, Senegal, associated with turquoise, augelite, wavellite and crandallite.     

Solid-liquid equilibria of Mg(OH)2(cr) and Mg2(OH)3Cl·4H2O(cr) in the system Mg-Na-H-OH-Cl-H2O at 25°C

The solubility of crystalline Mg(OH)₂(cr) was determined by measuring the equilibrium H⁺ concentration in water, 0.01-2.7 m MgCl₂, 0.1-5.6 m NaCl, and in mixtures of 0.5 and 5.0 m NaCl containing 0.01-0.05 m MgCl₂. In MgCl₂ solutions above 2 molal, magnesium hydroxide converted into hydrated magnesium oxychloride. The solid-liquid equilibrium of Mg₂(OH)₃Cl·4H₂O(cr) was studied in 2.1-5.2 m MgCl₂. Using known ion interaction Pitzer coefficients for the system Mg-Na-H-OH-Cl-H₂O (25°C), the following equilibrium constants at I = 0 are calculated:

     

Theoretical investigation of iron isotope fractionation between Fe(H2O)6 and Fe(H2O)6: Implications for iron stable isotope geochemistry

The magnitude of equilibrium iron isotope fractionation between Fe(H₂O)₆³⁺ and Fe(H₂O)₆²⁺ is calculated using density functional theory (DFT) and compared to prior theoretical and experimental results. DFT is a quantum chemical approach that permits a priori estimation of all vibrational modes and frequencies of these complexes and the effects of isotopic substitution. This information is used to calculate reduced partition function ratios of the complexes (10³ · ln(β)), and hence, the equilibrium isotope fractionation factor (10³ · ln(α)). Solvent effects are considered using the polarization continuum model (PCM). DFT calculations predict fractionations of several per mil in ⁵⁶Fe/⁵⁴Fe favoring partitioning of heavy isotopes in the ferric complex. Quantitatively, 10³ · ln(α) predicted at 22°C, ∼ 3 ‰, agrees with experimental determinations but is roughly half the size predicted by prior theoretical results using the Modified Urey-Bradley Force Field (MUBFF) model. Similar comparisons are seen at other temperatures. MUBFF makes a number of simplifying assumptions about molecular geometry and requires as input IR spectroscopic data. The difference between DFT and MUBFF results is primarily due to the difference between the DFT-predicted frequency for the ν₄ mode (O-Fe-O deformation) of Fe(H₂O)₆³⁺ and spectroscopic determinations of this frequency used as input for MUBFF models (185-190 cm⁻¹ vs. 304 cm⁻¹, respectively). Hence, DFT-PCM estimates of 10³ · ln(β) for this complex are ∼ 20% smaller than MUBFF estimates. The DFT derived values can be used to refine predictions of equilibrium fractionation between ferric minerals and dissolved ferric iron, important for the interpretation of Fe isotope variations in ancient sediments. Our findings increase confidence in experimental determinations of the Fe(H₂O)₆³⁺ − Fe(H₂O)₆²⁺ fractionation factor and demonstrate the utility of DFT for applications in “heavy” stable isotope geochemistry.     

Mineral-solution equilibria—III. The system Na2OAl2O3SiO2H2OHCl

Chemical equilibrium between sodium-aluminum silicate minerals and chloride bearing fluid has been experimentally determined in the range 500–700°C at 1 kbar, using rapid-quench hydrothermal methods and two modifications of the Ag + AgCl acid buffer technique. The temperature dependence of the thermodynamic equilibrium constant (K) for the reaction $\text{NaAlSi}{}_3\text{O}{}_8\text{+ HCl}{}^{\mathrm{o}}\text{= NaCl}{}^{\mathrm{o}}\text{+}\text{1}\text{2Al}{}_2\text{SiO}{}_5\text{, +}\text{5}\text{2SiO}{}_2\text{+}\text{1}\text{2H}{}_2\text{O}$ Albite Andalusite Qtz. can be described by the following equation: log k = ?4.437 + 5205.6/T(K) The data from this study are consistent with experimental results reported by Montoya and Hemley (1975) for lower temperature equilibria defined by the assemblages albite + paragonite + quartz + fluid and paragonite + andalusite + quartz + fluid. Values of the equilibrium constants for the above reactions were used to estimate the difference in Gibbs free energy of formation between NaCl^o and HCl^o in the range 400–700°C and 1–2 kbar. Similar calculations using data from phase equilibrium studies reported in the literature were made to determine the difference in Gibbs free energy of formation between KCl^o and HCl^o. These data permit modelling of the chemical interaction between muscovite + kspar + paragonite + albite + quartz assemblages and chloride-bearing hydrothermal fluids.     

Molecular H2O in armenite, BaCa2Al6Si9O30·2H2O, and epididymite, Na2Be2Si6O15·H2O: Heat capacity, entropy and local-bonding behavior of confined H2O in microporous silicates

Armenite, ideal formula BaCa₂Al₆Si₉O₃₀·2H₂O, and its dehydrated analog BaCa₂Al₆Si₉O₃₀ and epididymite, ideal formula Na₂Be₂Si₆O₁₅·H₂O, and its dehydrated analog Na₂Be₂Si₆O₁₅ were studied by low-temperature relaxation calorimetry between 5 and 300 K to determine the heat capacity, C_p, behavior of their confined H₂O. Differential thermal analysis and thermogravimetry measurements, FTIR spectroscopy, electron microprobe analysis and powder Rietveld refinements were undertaken to characterize the phases and the local environment around the H₂O molecule.The determined structural formula for armenite is Ba_0.88(0.01)Ca_1.99(0.02)Na_0.04(0.01)Al_5.89(0.03)Si_9.12(0.02)O₃₀·2H₂O and for epididymite Na_1.88(0.03)K_0.05(0.004)Na_0.01(0.004)Be_2.02(0.008)Si_6.00(0.01)O₁₅·H₂O. The infrared (IR) spectra give information on the nature of the H₂O molecules in the natural phases via their H₂O stretching and bending vibrations, which in the case of epididymite only could be assigned. The powder X-ray diffraction data show that armenite and its dehydrated analog have similar structures, whereas in the case of epididymite there are structural differences between the natural and dehydrated phases. This is also reflected in the lattice IR mode behavior, as observed for the natural phases and the H₂O-free phases. The standard entropy at 298 K for armenite is S° = 795.7 ± 6.2 J/mol K and its dehydrated analog is S° = 737.0 ± 6.2 J/mol K. For epididymite S° = 425.7 ± 4.1 J/mol K was obtained and its dehydrated analog has S° = 372.5 ± 5.0 J/mol K. The heat capacity and entropy of dehydration at 298 K are Δ = 3.4 J/mol K and ΔS^rxn = 319.1 J/mol K and Δ = −14.3 J/mol K and ΔS^rxn = 135.7 J/mol K for armenite and epididymite, respectively. The H₂O molecules in both phases appear to be ordered. They are held in place via an ion-dipole interaction between the H₂O molecule and a Ca cation in the case of armenite and a Na cation in epididymite and through hydrogen-bonding between the H₂O molecule and oxygen atoms of the respective silicate frameworks. Of the three different H₂O phases ice, liquid water and steam, the C_p behavior of confined H₂O in both armenite and epididymite is most similar to that of ice, but there are differences between the two silicates and from the C_p behavior of ice. Hydrogen-bonding behavior and its relation to the entropy of confined H₂O at 298 K is analyzed for various microporous silicates.The entropy of confined H₂O at 298 K in various silicates increases approximately linearly with increasing average wavenumber of the OH-stretching vibrations. The interpretation is that decreased hydrogen-bonding strength between a H₂O molecule and the silicate framework, as well as weak ion-dipole interactions, results in increased entropy of H₂O. This results in increased amplitudes of external H₂O vibrations, especially translations of the molecule, and they contribute strongly to the entropy of confined H₂O at T < 298 K.     

Effects of speciation on equilibrium fractionations and rates of oxygen isotope exchange between (PO4)aq and H2O

The effects of phosphate speciation on both rates of isotopic exchange and oxygen isotope equilibrium fractionation factors between aqueous phosphate and water were examined over the temperature range 70 to 180°C. Exchange between phosphate and water is much faster at low pH than at high pH, an observation that is similar to what has been observed in the analogous sulfate-water system. Oxygen isotope fractionations between protonated species like H₃PO₄ and H₂PO₄⁻ that are dominant at relatively low pH and species like PO₄³⁻ and ion pairs like KHPO₄⁻ that are dominant at relatively high pH, range between 5 and 8‰ at the temperatures of the experiments. In aqueous phosphate systems at equilibrium, ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratios increase with increasing degree of protonation of phosphate. This effect can be explained in part by the relative magnitudes of the dissociation constants of the protonated species. Under equilibrium conditions, carbonate in solution or in solid phases concentrates ¹⁸O relative to orthophosphate in solution or in solid phases at all temperatures, supporting the traditional view that biogenic phosphate is precipitated in near oxygen isotope equilibrium with body/ambient aqueous fluids with no attendant vital effects.     

Oxidation of Sb(III) to Sb(V) by O2 and H2O2 in aqueous solutions

The rates of Sb(III) oxidation by O₂ and H₂O₂ were determined in homogeneous aqueous solutions. Above pH 10, the oxidation reaction of Sb(III) with O₂ was first order with respect to the Sb(III) concentration and inversely proportional to the H⁺ concentrations at a constant O₂ content of 0.22 × 10⁻³ M. Pseudo-first-order rate coefficients, k_obs, ranged from 3.5 × 10⁻⁸ s⁻¹ to 2.5 × 10⁻⁶ s⁻¹ at pH values between 10.9 and 12.9. The relationship between k_obs and pH was:

     

Structural change and mineralogical transformation mechanism of aluminum hydroxide gels from forced hydrolysis Al（Ⅲ） solutions containing AlO4Al12（OH）24（H2O）12^7＋ polyoxycation during aging

The structural change and mineralogy of Al gel during aging time were investigated by using spectroscopy techniques. The results indicated that: 1) the aggregation extent of solution-gel system increases with aging time, and the structure of amorphous gel becomes more short-ordered; 2) after six months, the gel formats nordstrandite and little gibbsite; 3) a marked decrease in the number of (Al-OH)_oh bands occurring at 610 cm⁻¹ and increase in the number of (Al-OH₂)_oh bands occurring at 555 cm⁻¹ indicate that the gel undergoes rearrangement-like process during aging; 4) the gel constantly contains Al-O tetrahedron of Keggin structure, but the signal peak occurring at ≈61×10⁻⁶ of ²⁷Al MAS NMR have a slight shift to downfield with aging time. A mineralogical transformation mechanism for hydrolysis Al(III) solution was proposed.     

K-H3OFe3(SO4)2(OH)6铁矾的XRD研究

根据X射线衍射(XRD)分析发现: A Fe₃(SO₄)₂(OH)₆(A=K⁺、H₃O⁺)系列铁钒的XRD数据十分相近,难以用XRD区别,需通过能谱(EDS)辅助分析,才能区分此类铁矾。另外,此类铁矾的003和107面网间距d随K⁺含量增大而增大,且呈一元三次方程的关系;而033和220面网间距d随K⁺含量增大而减小,呈一元二次方程的关系。对该现象从铁矾晶体结构方面进行解释:K⁺、H₃O⁺离子位于较大空隙中,且沿着Z轴方向排列,当K⁺、H₃O⁺离子之间相互替换时,会导致该铁矾晶体结构在Z轴方向有较明显的变化。