The infrared spectroscopic study of metals intruded into a silica framework

Abstract The chemical form of metals in a silica framework was studied by infrared spectrescopy. Specimens were prepared by heating vitreous silica with metals during periods ranging from several to 200 hr. The intrusion patterns of metals were classified into three types: silicate, metallic suspension and coordination. The silicate types are characterized by the shift of the 1110 cm −1 v 3 peak to lower wave numbers and development of the 1030 and/or 950 cm −1 peaks. Metallic suspensions show the 625 cm −1 v 2 peak which became i.r. active. Cobalt is uniquely classified into coordination type. It shows many peaks at 500–1000 cm −1 , which may be assigned to some new bonds between silica and metal. A short discussion is given about the chemical form of silica inclusion in steel on the basis of the above results.