Infrared Absorption Due to H2O and D2O in a Fluorozirconate Glass

A comparative study of infrared absorption due to H2O and D2O impurities in a fluorozirconate glass (53ZrF4·20BaF2·4LaF3·3AlF3·20NaF) was carried out. The H2O and D2O were introduced into the glass by reaction of the surface at 260°C with H2O and D2O vapor entrained in a stream of N2. Reaction with H2O produced IR absorption bands at 2.9 μm (O–H stretch) and 6.1 μm (H2O bend). Reaction with D2O produced bands at 3.9 μm (O–D stretch) and 8.3 μm (D2O bend). The ratios of the corresponding D2O/H2O peak frequencies are 0.74 for both the stretching and bending vibrations, in good agreement with the value of 0.727 predicted from the difference in the OH and OD reduced masses.