Transmittance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectra of Liquid Water in the Whole Mid-Infrared Region: Temperature Dependence and Structural Analysis

Transmittance Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra of liquid water in the 4–80 °C temperature range are reported in the whole mid-infrared (MIR) region (4000–360 cm−1). The spectra were recorded by using a newly developed, home-made transmittance cell, working in light vacuum conditions (pressures of the order of 3–4 millibar). This permits the elimination of the aqueous vapor bands from the liquid spectra, particularly in the bending region, and the rapid collection of data without fluxing large amounts of nitrogen through the interferometer sample chamber. The temperature evolution of the OH stretching and HOH deformation bands is discussed in terms of Gaussian components analysis and a two-state model describing the equilibrium between different H-bond structures of liquid water. From this picture, structural and thermodynamic information about the hydrogen-bonding network of water is obtained.