4F - H20+/- - Gravimetric

0.3 g sample is thermally decomposed in a resistance furnace in a pure nitrogen environment at 110^°C (moisture, H₂O-) followed by decomposition at 1000 ^°C (interstial water, H₂O+), using an ELTRA CW-800, directly releasing H₂O. H₂O absorbs IR energy at a precise wavelength within the IR spectrum.  Energy from the IR source is absorbed as the gas passes through the cell, preventing it from reaching the IR detector. All other IR energy is prevented from reaching the IR detector by a narrow bandpass filter. Because of the filter, the absorption of IR energy can be attributed only to water (H₂O). The concentration of H₂Ois detected as a reduction in the level of energy at the detector.