ABSTRACT
Infrared spectroscopy is important for interfacial characterization in electrochemistry. Several reviews have appeared covering experimental methods and applications. This chapter focuses on infrared spectra of strongly bonded adsorbates and some effects that interactions among similarly oriented molecules (vibrational coupling effects) have on infrared band positions and intensities. Information about adlayer structure that can be obtained from spectral changes induced by vibrational coupling is emphasized. The manner in which vibrational coupling restricts detection of molecules at different structural sites on surfaces and at different metal sites on alloy and bimetallic electrodes is also discussed. Examples are taken mainly from studies of carbon monoxide adsorption on electrodes. References to literature on the physics of vibrational coupling are provided.
