An in situ infrared study of magnesium hydroxide dehydroxylation under electric fields

A specially designed IR electrolysis cell is described, which allows samples to be simultaneously heated and electrolysed during the recording of their IR spectra. By means of this cell, changes in the intensity of the hydroxyl stretching band at 3670 cm^?1 were recorded as a function of temperature both in the presence and absence of an applied electric field. The intensity of the ?OH band decreases with temperature in two distinct stages, both of which are influenced by the electric field. The effect of the electric field on the regain of spectral intensity of the hydroxyl band on re-cooling the sample to room temperature was also studied, and the results discussed in terms of the delocalization of the protons from their respective molecules, possibly by a field-dependent tunnelling mechanism. The effect of the field on the shape and frequency of the ?OH stretching band is also discussed.