Proton sites and dynamics in divalent metal hydroxides probed by muon spin relaxation Original Research Article

The proton location and dynamics in the ionic divalent metal hydroxides has been investigated using the technique of muon spin relaxation (μSR). Implanted positive muons behave as a light isotope of hydrogen, and an analysis of the zero field μSR relaxation has provided an unambiguous assignment of the muon site in these materials: the muon takes up a proton vacancy, probably by binding to a deprotonated O2− ion. Relaxation measurements in the temperature regime immediately prior to dehydration suggest the presence of localised proton dynamics that persists to the onset of dehydration.