Variable-Temperature Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Studies of Calcium Oxalate Monohydrate

Abstract

The thermal degradation of calcium oxalate monohydrate is studied by using diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy combined with quadrupole mass spectrometry (DRIFTS/MS). DRIFTS/MS results are correlated with thermogravimetric analyses to verify the thermal properties of samples studied. Infrared spectral evidence for CaC 2 O 4 H 2 O dehydration and infrared spectra for three different CaC 2 O 4 phases are given. In addition, the significance of a band at 1085 cm −1 assigned to CO 2 2− which appears during the decomposition of CaC 2 O 4 to CaCO 3 is discussed.