Application of ATR-FTIR spectroscopy in quantitative analysis of deuterium in basic solutions

A method to measure the deuterium concentration in basic solutions, using Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) is described. Deuterium quantification is based on the O-D bond stretching peak. A calibration curve is drawn, representing the peak intensity versus the deuterium percentage in a neutral solution. No calibration curve can be obtained with basic solutions, because of the strong absorbance due to hydroxide ions. Thus, an acidification is necessary prior to the analysis of a basic solution. The deuterium content of this acid solution is then measured. As we know the dilution caused by the acid addition, we can calculate the deuterium content of the initial basic solution. The relative uncertainty of this method is + or - 2%. (authors)