The Fe K-edge X-ray absorption near-edge (XANES) spectra from Fe(1-x)Ga(x)SbO(4), having a rutile-like structure, have been investigated. Similar to the Ti K-edge XANES spectrum from TiO(2) (rutile), the low-energy pre-edge region observed in the Fe K-edge spectra is too broad to be representative of only a local, quadrupolar 1s → 3d excitation. The broadness of this peak results from the presence of a nonlocal transition, referred to as an intersite hybrid, which involves the excitation of 1s electrons to unoccupied 3d states of a next-nearest-neighbor Fe atom. (These 3d states overlap Fe 4p states of the absorbing atom through O 2p states.) With increasing Ga concentration, the intensity of the intersite hybrid peak decreases because of a deficiency of unoccupied next-nearest-neighbor 3d states. This observation provides important information on how the peak intensities of these nonlocal excitations are affected by substitution of the constituent elements.

An evaluation of several experimental aspects that can optimize electrochemical attenuated total reflection surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy (ATR-SEIRAS) performance using a commercially available, specular reflection accessory is provided. A comparison of different silicon single-bounce internal reflection elements (IREs) is made with emphasis on different face-angled crystal (FAC) options. Selection of optimal angle of incidence for maximizing signal and minimizing noise is shown to require consideration of the optical throughput of the accessory, reflection losses at the crystal surfaces, and polarization effects. The benefits of wire-grid polarizers and antireflective (AR) coatings on the IREs is discussed. High signal-to-noise ratios can be achieved by omitting polarizers, using an AR-coated FAC with a larger face angle, and working at angles of incidence close to the maximum throughput angle of the accessory.

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The adsorption of arsenic on an amorphous iron oxy(hydroxides) (ferrihydrite) under reductive conditions is reported. The fabrication of an ATR–IR spectroelectrochemical cell that allows the vibrational characterization of arsenate and arsenite adsorbed on a thin film of ferrihydrite is described. The cell is shown to allow the application of reductive conditions through the introduction of a working electrode that is positioned adjacent to the mineral phase. ATR–IR spectra reveal that increasingly negative solution potentials (Eh) leads to the loss of adsorbed arsenate prior to the reductive dissolution of Fe(III) in the ferrihydrite. Under the experimental conditions, there is no evidence of reduction of arsenate to arsenite. Through the use of a miniaturized pH probe, the desorption of arsenate through electrochemical biasing is shown to arise solely from competitive adsorption from hydroxide ions produced by electrolysis of water. The results indicate that, within the time frame accessible in these measurements, only extreme reductive conditions are detrimental to arsenic sequestration in mine tailings facilities.