Infrared Reflection-Absorption Spectroscopy (IRRAS) applied to oxides: Ceria as a case study

Infrared Reflection-Absorption Spectroscopy (IRRAS), a pivotal tool in the study of the surface chemistry of metals, has recently also gained substantial impact for oxide surfaces, despite the inherent challenges originating from their dielectric properties. This review focuses on the application of IRRAS to ceria (CeO$_2$), a metal oxide for which a significant amount of experimental data exists. We elaborate on the differences in optical properties between metals and metal oxides, which result in lower intensity of adsorbate vibrational bands by approximately two orders of magnitude and polarization-dependent shifts of vibrational frequencies. We examine how the surface selection rule, governing IR spectroscopy of adsorbates on metals, contrasts sharply with the behavior of dielectrics where both positive and negative vibrational bands can occur, and how IRRAS can capture vibrations with transition dipole moments oriented parallel to the surface—a capability not feasible on metallic surfaces. Finally, this paper explores the broader implications of these findings for enhancing our understanding of molecule interactions on oxide surfaces, and for using IR spectroscopy for operando studies under technologically relevant conditions.