Infrared Spectra of H2O, D2O, and HDO in Solid Argon, Krypton, and Xenon

Abstract

Infrared spectra of H₂O and D₂O suspended in solid argon, zenon, and krypton have been obtained in the temperature range 20–4.2°K. A systematic study of the spectra of these species as a function of concentration and temperature has been carried out. Doublets with components centered within a few wave numbers of the gas phase OH and OD stretching frequencies are observed at dilutions in the range 500–1300 for the quantity M/R (M/R denotes molar ratio of rare gas to H₂O or D₂O). Spectra of these species in the bending region are considerably more complex. Between six and eight bands with frequency separations on the order of 10–20 cm^—1 are observed in this region. These features appear to be independent of M/R in the range 500–1300. At least one and possibly two of the lower frequency components in the spectrum of H₂O in argon decrease in intensity on lowering the temperature of the sample. These results have been interpreted on the basis that H₂O and D₂O rotate in solid Ar, Xe, and Kr.