THE NATURE OF CHEMICAL BONDING OF PHOSPHORUS IN MONOMINERAL FRACTIONSAND CONCENTRATES OF MANGANESE ORES

X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and theoretical analysis based on quantum chemistry were used to elucidate the nature of chemical bon ding of phosphorus in monomineral fractions and oxide and carbonate co ncentrates of manganese ores. Phosphorus is found in four energy state s corresponding to the binding energies 132.4, 133.3, 134.5, and 135.8 eV. The chemical shift of P 2p levels is due to (1) chemical bonding between phosphorus and cations of manganese ores existing in different valence states; (2) the formation of orthophosphates of island, ring- shaped and chain types; and (3) the electron density transfer from pho sphorus atom to the central cation-modifiers. As a consequence, the ex istence of direct chemical bonding between phosphorus and manganese in manganese-ore minerals is established.