Probing solid-solution interfacial chemistry with ATR-IR spectroscopy of particle films

Infrared (IR) spectroscopy of thin particle films, deposited on an attenuat ed total reflection (ATR) crystal and immersed in solution, has high potent ial for investigating the chemistry of solid-solution interfaces. Phenomena that can be studied include pH-dependent adsorption, photosensitization, p hotocatalysis, and biocompatibility of prosthetic materials. With films a f ew micrometers thick, the penetration depth of the evanescent IR wave is su fficient to monitor surface reactions throughout the high surface area part icle film.