Conversion electron yield X-ray absorption fine structure measurements under atmospheric conditions

The detection of a sample current under atmospheric conditions was applied to XAFS measurements of a Ni foil and NiO powders, and the feasibility of the conversion electron yield (CEY) detection was examined. The obtained XAFS spectra were compared with those obtained using the conventional transmission method; it is concluded that fairly good statistics can be obtained using the CEY method and that the obtained spectra show an identical structure to those obtained using the transmission method.     

XAFS spectral analysis of the cadmium coordination geometry in cadmium thiolate clusters in metallothionein

We report the combination of measurement and prediction of X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) data, where the term XAFS refers to the overall spectrum that encompasses both the X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (XANES) region as well as the Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) region, to evaluate the cadmium thiolate cluster structures in the metalloprotein metallothionein. XAFS spectra were simulated using coordinates from molecular models of the protein calculated by molecular mechanics/molecular dynamics (MM3/MD), from NMR analyses, and from analysis of X-ray diffraction data. XAFS spectra were also simulated using the coordinates from X-ray crystallographic data for [Cd(SPh)4]2-, CdS, [Cd2(mu-SPh)2(SPh)4]2-, and [Cd4(mu-SPh)6(SPh)4]2-. The simulated XAFS data that were calculated using the FEFF8 program closely resemble the experimental data reported for [Cd(SPh)4]2-, CdS, [Cd2(mu-SPh)2(SPh)4]2-, [Cd4(mu-SPh)6(SPh)4]2-, rabbit liver metallothionein cadmium alpha-domain (Cd4-alpha MT), and cadmium rabbit liver betaalpha metallothionein (Cd7-betaalpha MT). MM3 force field parameters were modified to include cadmium-sulfur bonding and were initially set to values derived from published X-ray diffraction and EXAFS experimental data. The force field was further calibrated and adjusted through comparison between experimental spectra taken from the literature and simulated XAFS spectra calculated using the FEFF8 program in combination with atomic coordinates from MM3/MD energy minimization. MM3/MD techniques were used with the calibrated force field to predict the high-resolution structure of the metal clusters in rabbit liver Cd7-MT. Structures for Cd3S9 (beta) MT and Cd4S11 (alpha) MT domains from MM3/MD calculations and those previously reported for Cd7-MT on the basis of 1H and 113Cd NMR data were compared. Structural differences between the different models for these cadmium thiolate clusters were evident. Combining the measurement and simulation of XAFS data provides an excellent method of assessing, modeling, and predicting metal-binding sites in metalloproteins when X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) data are available.     

XAFS study of the complex of an acetylacetonate-based ligand and copper ion

An X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) study has been conducted to reveal the local structure and chemical state of the copper in the complex of an acetylacetonate-based ligand (L1) and copper ion in acetonitrile solution. The copper ion in the complex was found to be divalent from the Cu K-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectrum. The FEFF (ab initio multiple scattering calculations of XAFS) were performed with the model compounds, whose structures were optimized by using MOPAC program with AM1 Hamiltonian. The comparative study of the experimental XAFS spectra and theoretical calculations from FEFF gave the perspectives for clarifying the coordination structure of the complex of L1 and copper ion.     

Atomic level characterization by synchrotron radiation for the design of high performance catalysts

SPring-8 is the largest third-generation synchrotron radiation facility in the world. Synchrotron radiation is the most powerful light source currently available, especially in the EUV and X-ray regions, and in the research area of catalysis synchrotron radiation offers a very useful analysis method, i.e. XAFS. This spectroscopic investigative technique enables the determination of the chemical states and local structure of the atoms in the specific elements of a sample. Here, we introduce the SPring-8 facility and report how synchrotron radiation XAFS spectroscopy is utilized for the characterization and analysis of catalysts.     

Determination of indomethacin polymorphic contents by chemometric near-infrared spectroscopy and conventional powder X-ray diffractometry

A chemoinfometric method for the quantitative determination of the crystal content of indomethacin (IMC) polymorphs, based on Fourier-transform near-infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy, was established. A direct comparison of the data with those collected using the conventional powder X-ray diffraction method was performed. Pure alpha and gamma forms of IMC were prepared using published methods. Powder X-ray diffraction profiles and NIR spectra were recorded for six kinds of standard material with various contents of the gamma form of IMC. Principal component regression (PCR) analyses were performed on the basis of the normalized NIR spectral sets of standard samples with known contents of the gamma form of IMC. A calibration equation was determined to minimize the root mean square error of the prediction. The predicted gamma form contents were reproducible and had a relatively small standard deviation. The values of the gamma form contents predicted by the two methods were in close agreement. The results indicated that NIR spectroscopy provides an accurate quantitative analysis of crystallinity in polymorphs compared with the results obtained by conventional powder X-ray diffractometry.     

Atomic cluster calculation of the X-ray near-edge absorption of copper

The finite difference method for near-edge structure is used to calculate X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectra. We extend the range of calculation for copper above the K-shell threshold and compare the results with recent experimental data in the X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) region. Qualitatively the calculation predicts the location of the peaks but fails to accurately describe relative amplitudes.     

Study on the surface density of surface-active substances through total-reflection X-ray absorption fine structure measurement

The total-reflection X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) method previously employed for the adsorption of dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) at the air/water interface was applied to that in the presence of NaBr. The surface concentration of the bromide ions Gamma(X)(B) of DTAB and NaBr was evaluated by using the Br K-edge absorption jump values of the total-reflection XAFS spectra and was compared to the corresponding value Gamma(H)(B) estimated from the dependence of surface tension on the bulk concentrations of DTAB m(1) and NaBr m(2). The Gamma(X)(B) values trace almost perfectly the Gamma(X)(B) versus m(1) curve up to a concentration near the critical micelle concentration (cmc) and deviate gradually above the concentration. This behavior is basically similar to that of the single DTAB system and ensures that the XAFS method is also applicable to the DTAB system, even in the presence of NaBr. In addition, this method was extended to the single nonionic amphiphile with covalently bonded bromine, and the surface concentrations of 6-bromo-1-hexanol (BrC6OH), Gamma(X)(1) and Gamma(H)(B), were evaluated and compared with each other. It was found that the Gamma(X)(1) value almost perfectly traces the Gamma(H)(1) versus m(1) curve, even at high surface concentrations. The excellent coincidence confirmed that the total-reflection XAFS method can be applied to the nonionic amphiphile system as well as a cationic surfactant with or without an added salt system. Finally, the difference between the Gamma(X)(B) and Gamma(H)(B) values observed in the DTAB with and without an added salt system is briefly described.     

Determination of chemical form of antimony in contaminated soil around a smelter using X-ray absorption fine structure.

Only limited information is available about the behavior of antimony (Sb) in contaminated soils. However, understanding the behavior of Sb in contaminated soils is important, because the toxicity or solubility of this element depends on its chemical state. In this study, we investigated the levels of Sb and the chemical forms of Sb in the soil around a smelter using X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectra. The highest Sb concentration in the contaminated soil was 2900 mg/kg dry soil. According to Sb-K edge X-ray absorption near edge (XANE) spectra, the Sb in the soil was in the form of Sb(V) compounds. The similarity of extended XAFS (EXAFS) spectra suggests that Sb speciation was independent of the sampling site, which indicates that Sb or Sb2O3 emitted from the smelter was converted into Sb(V) compounds in the soil.     

辽河减压渣油中非卟啉镍的XAFS研究

为获得石油中非卟啉Ni的结构信息，采用荧光法对辽河减压清油中非叶琳Ni的 K边进行了XAFS测试非叶琳Ni第一配位壳层的结构和Ni-四苯基卟啉（NiTPP）的配 位结构类似，也是4个氮原子，呈平面四方构型为0.192nm，在较高的配位壳层，二 者存在一定的差别此外，根据XAFS测试，对石油中非卟啉Ni讨论.     

In situ XAFS and NMR study of rhodium-catalyzed dehydrogenation of dimethylamine borane

In situ X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (XAFS) and 11B NMR were used to study the rhodium-catalyzed dimerization reaction of dimethylaminoborane, (CH3)2NHBH3 or DMAB. XAFS spectra show that the active form of the rhodium catalyst is most likely composed of a six-atom Rh core surrounded by tightly bound external ligands. NMR results show the presence of monomeric dimethylamine borane (CH3)2NBH2, providing evidence that hydrogen formation from the homogeneous Rh species occurs by an intramolecular pathway. This is in contrast to thermal pathways that involve intermolecular B-N concurrent with hydrogen formation. This work shows that in situ XAFS spectroscopy offers a unique experimental tool to differentiate between heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis.     

Qualitative Discrimination Between Paracetamol Tablets Made by Near Infrared Spectroscopy and Chemometrics With Regard to Polymorphism

Polymorphism is an important characteristic of pharmaceutical products because different polymorphs exhibit different physicochemical stabilities, dissolution rates, etc., which makes them different in therapeutic efficiency. Thus, it is important to control the polymorphic structure of pharmaceutical products. A spectroscopy method based on Fourier transform near infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy and chemometric techniques is introduced to classify paracetamol preparations according to polymorphic changes. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and FT-NIR studies were carried out on standard samples, paracetamol preparations (acetaminophen tablet), and also the additives. A direct comparison was performed between the spectroscopic data and those obtained by XRD. The NIR and XRD analyses of paracetamol preparations show some distinct differences, particularly in the Iranian tablet. These differences are found to be related to polymorphism and paracetamol purity. The cluster analysis (CA) and principal component analysis (PCA) were utilized to classify the paracetamol preparations. FT-NIR spectroscopy provides a simple, rapid and accurate qualitative analysis method for the identification of paracetamol polymorphs.     

Importance of weak interactions in developing 1,3-bis(4,6-dimethyl-1H-nicotinonitrile-1-yl)1,3-dioxy propane polymorphs

The structure of 1,3-bis(4,6-dimethyl-1H-nicotinonitrile-1-yl)1,3-dioxy propane polymorphs has been characterized by X-ray diffraction, FT-IR, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopies. The influence of intra and intermolecular weak interactions is thoroughly studied in solid state using single crystal X-ray diffraction and FT-IR. These polymorphs belong to monoclinic space group 'P2(1/n)' and 'P2(1/c)'. These polymorphs have C-H?n (lone pair), hydrogen bonds, C-N?π, C-H?π and π?π intermolecular non-covalent interactions. These polymorphs are the result of weak interactions and solvent used in crystallization. The FT-IR spectra have been recorded in the solid phase and NMR has been recorded in solvent. The optimized geometry has been calculated by B3LYP methods using different basis sets. The FT-IR and NMR spectra of 1st polymorphs has been calculated at B3LYP/6-31G (d) level. The scaled theoretical wave number showed good agreement with the experimental values. These two polymorphs as well as other stereomers are studied by DFT calculations.     

Synergistic effect of crystal and electronic structures on the visible-light-driven photocatalytic performances of Bi(2)O(3) polymorphs

Three polymorphs of Bi(2)O(3) were selectively synthesized via solution-based methods. The phase structures of the as-prepared samples were confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy was employed to study the optical properties of Bi(2)O(3) polymorphs, and the band gaps were estimated to be 2.80, 2.48, and 3.01 eV for α-Bi(2)O(3), β-Bi(2)O(3), and δ-Bi(2)O(3), respectively. The photocatalytic performances of the oxides were investigated by decomposing methyl orange and 4-chlorophenol under visible irradiation at room temperature. It was observed that β-Bi(2)O(3) displayed much higher photocatalytic performance than N-doped P25. Among the three polymorphs of Bi(2)O(3), the photocatalytic activities followed the order: β-Bi(2)O(3) > α-Bi(2)O(3) > δ-Bi(2)O(3), which was in good accordance with the photoluminescence spectra measurement results. The synergistic effect of the crystal and electronic structures on the photocatalytic performances of Bi(2)O(3) polymorphs was investigated. The much better photocatalytic activity of β-Bi(2)O(3) was considered to be closely related to its smaller band gap, higher crystallinity and unique tunnel structure.     

XAFS analyses of molten metal fluorides

X-ray absorption fine structure studies of molten metal fluorides containing the materials related to nuclear engineering are intensively summarized. By using XAFS spectra data of divalent and trivalent cation metal fluorides in molten state which have been collected by authors’ group for a few years, local structure have been extracted and discussed systematically in conjunction with other spectroscopic studies and numerical calculations. In molten divalent fluorides, tetrahedral coordination of fluorides around a cation is predominant. In the case of pure molten trivalent fluorides, structure with more than 6-coordination has been suggested in some cases, but octahedral coordination structure is much stabilized at heavier rare earth metal fluorides. By mixing with alkali metal fluorides, it is a general trend that inter-ionic distances keep constant, but coordination number of fluorides decreases. In experimental chapter, all the details of sample preparation, furnace installation, X-ray optics setups and data analyses procedures are explained. Finally, future expectations of XAFS technique are also suggested.     

Synchrotron radiation effects on catalytic systems as probed with a combined in-situ UV-vis/XAFS spectroscopic setup

UV-vis spectroscopy was used in a combined in-situ UV-vis/XAFS spectroscopic setup to study the synchrotron radiation effect on aqueous homogeneous copper solutions. Two different systems were studied. In the first study, the focus was on a copper bipyridine-catalyzed oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde with 2,2,6,6- tetramethylpiperidinyl-1-oxy and base as cocatalysts. It was found that when the reaction mixture is exposed to the X-ray beam, the features present in the in-situ UV-vis spectrum develop differently compared to the situation when the reaction mixture is not exposed to the X-ray beam. Besides a temperature effect of the X-ray beam, both the UV-vis analysis and the XAFS analysis showed a reducing influence of the X-ray beam on the sample. To investigate this in more detail, we studied a series of dilute aqueous copper solutions from different precursor salts, viz., Cu(NO3)2.3H2O, CuSO4.5H2O, CuCl2, and CuBr2. It was found that the different aqueous copper solutions have different stabilities under the influence of the X-ray beam. Especially the solution from the CuCl2 precursor salt was found to be unstable and to be subjected to reduction. These examples illustrate the need for a second technique, such as in-situ UV-vis spectroscopy, to evaluate the effect of synchrotron radiation used to measure in-situ XAFS on catalytic systems.     

Effect of High Pressure on the Polymorphs of Paracetamol

Effect of hydrostatic pressure on the two (I – monoclinic and II – orthorhombic) polymorphs of paracetamol was studied by X-ray diffraction in the diamond anvil cell at pressures up to 4.5 GPa (for the monoclinic form) and up to 5.5 GPa (for the orthorhombic form). The two groups of phenomena were studied: (i) the anisotropic structural distortion of the same polymorph, (ii) transitions between the polymorphs induced by pressure. The anisotropy of structural distortion of polymorphs I and II was well reproducible from sample to sample, also from powder samples to single crystals. The bulk compressibility of the two forms was shown to be practically the same. However, a noticeable qualitative difference in the anisotropy of structural distortion was observed: with increasing pressure the structure of polymorph II contracted in all the directions showing isotropic compression in the planes of hydrogen-bonded molecular layers, whereas the layers in the structure of the polymorph I expanded in some directions. Maximum compression in both polymorphs I and II was observed in the directions normal to the molecular layers. The transitions between the polymorphs induced by pressure were poorly reproducible and depended strongly on the sample and on the procedure of increasing/decreasing pressure. No phase transitions were induced in the single crystals of the monoclinic polymorph at pressures at least up to 4GPa, although a partial transformation of polymorph I into polymorph II was observed at increased pressure in powder samples. Polymorph II transformed partly into the polymorph I during grinding. The transformation could be hindered if grinding was carried out in CCl₄. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Solution and solid-state effects on NMR chemical shifts in sesquiterpene lactones: NMR, X-ray, and theoretical methods

Selected guaianolide type sesquiterpene lactones were studied combining solution and solid-state NMR spectroscopy with theoretical calculations of the chemical shifts in both environments and with the X-ray data. The experimental (1)H and (13)C chemical shifts in solution were successfully reproduced by theoretical calculations (with the GIAO method and DFT B3LYP 6-31++G**) after geometry optimization (DFT B3LYP 6-31 G**) in vacuum. The GIPAW method was used for calculations of solid-state (13)C chemical shifts. The studied cases involved two polymorphs of helenalin, two pseudopolymorphs of 6α-hydroxydihydro-aromaticin and two cases of multiple asymmetric units in crystals: one in which the symmetry-independent molecules were connected by a series of hydrogen bonds (geigerinin) and the other in which the symmetry-independent molecules, deprived of any specific intermolecular interactions, differed in the conformation of the side chain (badkhysin). Geometrically different molecules present in the crystal lattices could be easily distinguished in the solid-state NMR spectra. Moreover, the experimental differences in the (13)C chemical shifts corresponding to nuclei in different polymorphs or in geometrically different molecules were nicely reproduced with the GIPAW calculations.     

Structural investigation of Pd(II) in concentrated nitric and perchloric acid solutions by XAFS

XAFS spectra of palladium(II) in concentrated HNO3/HClO4 acid mixtures have been recorded and analyzed. Structural parameters of the Pd(H2O)4(2+) complex and the mixed nitric Pd(NO3)2(H2O)2 complex, for the first time, were determined by the XAFS method. For pure 5 M HClO4 and for mixtures (0-0.3 M HNO3), the XAFS spectra of the 0.02 M Pd solutions are indeed very similar and originated from four Pd-O(w) equivalent distances. For the Pd(H2O)4(2+) square-planar aqua ion in strong perchloric acid, the use of an FEFF6 theoretical approach led to a first-shell Pd-O(w) distance of 2.00 (1) A and a Debye-Waller (DW) factor of sigma2 = 0.0030 (3) A2. Four water molecules are tightly bound to the Pd2+ ion in the equatorial plane, while two (or one) axial water molecules are weakly bound to the metal ion at 2.5 A with a DW factor of 0.015 (5) A2. For highly concentrated mixtures (4-6 M HNO3) and for pure concentrated (4-6 M) nitric acid as well as for crystalline powder Pd(NO3)2(H2O)2, the XAFS spectra are very similar and are determined by the mixed nitric complex Pd(NO3)2(H2O)2: four Pd-O near-equivalent distances of 2.01 (1) A from two H2O and two NO3 molecules with a total DW factor of sigma2 = 0.0037 (3) A2. Moreover, two Pd---N distances of 2.8-2.9 A were determined in the second coordination shell. Finally, for intermediate mixtures (1-3 M HNO3 in 5 M HClO4), the XAFS spectra are a superposition of the XAFS of Pd(H2O)4(2+) and Pd(NO3)2(H2O)2 complexes. The mean ligand number NO3(-) around Pd2+ has been calculated, and the XAFS results at pH close to zero confirm the spectrophotometric results previously published.     

Hydration and contact ion pairing of Ca2+ with Cl- in supercritical aqueous solution

X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy was used to measure the first-shell structure about Ca2+ in high-temperature aqueous solution. XAFS spectra were acquired at the Ca K edge at temperatures up to 400 degrees C and pressures up to 350 bars. For the system at 400 degrees C, both Ca (4038.5 eV) and Cl (2822.4 eV) K-edge data were acquired and a global model was used to fit the two independent sets of XAFS data. Measurements were made at the bending magnet beamline (sector 20) at the Advanced Photon Source, Argonne. Above 250 degrees C, a significant number of Ca2+-Cl- direct contact ion pairs form in agreement with existing thermodynamic data for this system. For a 1 m CaCl2 solution at 400 degrees C, the mean coordination structure about Ca2+ contains 3.2+/-0.6 water molecules at an average Ca-O distance of 2.356+/-0.026 A and 1.8+/-0.7 Cl- at a Ca-Cl distance of 2.677+/-0.007 A. An evaluation of the Ca and Cl preedge and near-edge (x-ray absorption structure) spectra provided further confirmation of the change in the Ca2+ first-shell structure and symmetry. Overall these measurements provide a structural basis for understanding solvation of Ca2+ in hydrothermal systems. These results also provide important new insights into the structural aspects of Ca2+ ion pairing that are the basis of many biological processes under ambient conditions.     

Identification of polymorphs of sp bonded carbon and boron nitride using core-level absorption spectroscopy

The 1s core-level absorption spectra of the sp³ bonded carbon (cubic and hexagonal polymorphs) and boron nitrides (zincblende and wurtzite polymorphs) were calculated using an ab initio pseudopotential plane wave method including the core-hole effects. A comprehensive comparison with the available experimental data shows that there exist characteristic features that can be used to spectroscopically identify the different polymorphs. The anisotropic characters of K-edge absorption spectra in hexagonal diamond and wurtzite boron nitride can provide additional phase specific signatures. The application of the spectroscopic fingerprinting method in the experimental identification of these metastable sp³ bonded phases is discussed.