IR spectroscopy study of the radiation-thermal decomposition of water on nanosized zirconium dioxide

Radiation-thermal decomposition of water on nanosized ZrO₂ in the temperature range of 300–673 K has been studied by FTIR spectroscopy. It has been revealed by the X-ray diffraction method that the sample used has the centrsymmetric monoclinic crystal structure. It has been shown that nanosized zirconium dioxide adsorbs water on via the molecular and dissociative mechanisms. Intermediate products of the radiation-induced heterogeneous decomposition of water, namely, the molecular oxygen and hydrogen peroxide radical ions, zirconium hydride, and hydroxyl radicals have been detected. A comparative analysis of changes in the absorption bands of molecular water and surface hydroxyl groups with temperature has been conducted, and the stimulating role of radiation in the radiation-thermal process of water decomposition has been revealed.