In this paper cation arrangement in two samples of aluminoceladonite, emerald‑green and dark-green were studied by Mössbauer, Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectra obtained in the region of the Si2p, Al2p, Fe2p, K2p, and O1s core levels provided information, for the first time highlighting a route to identify the position of Si, Al, K, and Fe cations in a structure of layered silicates. The XPS analysis showed the presence of Al in tetrahedral and octahedral coordination while the K2p line indicated the possibility of K+ substitution by other cations in interlayer sites. Mössbauer spectroscopy provided information about crystal chemistry with respect to the local electronic and geometric environment around the Fe atom and to distortions of the polyhedra. It turned out that iron was located mostly in the cis-octahedra position wherein about 75% of iron appeared in the form of Fe ³⁺. The most preferred cation combinations around Fe corresponded to 3Fe ³⁺ ions and MgFe ²⁺Fe ³⁺/2MgFe ³⁺. Raman spectroscopy illustrated aluminium substitution in silicon and iron positions wherein the concentration of the aluminium determined the degree of structural distortion within the layered system. These isomorphic substitutions implied a typical band arrangement in the hydroxyl region, which has not been observed in celadonites so far.

Al-Y-Fe amorphous and nanocrystalline alloys are characterized by a unique collection of diverse properties that are influenced by various factors, including heat treatment. In this paper, the effect of heat treatment on the structural changes and selected properties of Al-Y-Fe metallic glasses in the as-spun state is investigated. The structure of the Al88Y7Fe5 and Al88Y6Fe6 alloys was examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Mössbauer spectroscopy (MS). The corrosion resistance of the samples was characterized using polarization tests in a 3.5% NaCl solution at 25 °C. The effect of sodium chloride on the surface was studied with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The magnetic properties of Al-based alloys were explored using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). It was revealed that the tested alloys show better properties after annealing than in the as-spun state. The annealing of the Al88Y7Fe5 and Al88Y6Fe6 alloys in the temperature range of 200 to 300 °C improved the magnetic properties and corrosion resistance of these materials. After 3,600 s, the better EOCP values were recorded for the Al88Y6Fe6 and Al88Y7Fe5 alloys after annealing at 300 °C and 200 °C, adequately. On the basis of the polarization tests, it was concluded that the electrochemical properties are better for Al88Y6Fe6 alloys after annealing at 300 °C.