Insight into growth of Au–Pt bimetallic nanoparticles: an in situ XAS study

Au–Pt bimetallic nanoparticles have been synthesized through a one‐pot synthesis route from their respective chloride precursors using block copolymer as a stabilizer. Growth of the nanoparticles has been studied by simultaneous in situ measurement of X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and UV–Vis spectroscopy at the energy‐dispersive EXAFS beamline (BL‐08) at Indus‐2 SRS at RRCAT, Indore, India. In situ XAS spectra, comprising both X‐ray near‐edge structure (XANES) and extended X‐ray absorption fine‐structure (EXAFS) parts, have been measured simultaneously at the Au and Pt L₃‐edges. While the XANES spectra of the precursors provide real‐time information on the reduction process, the EXAFS spectra reveal the structure of the clusters formed in the intermediate stages of growth. This insight into the formation process throws light on how the difference in the reduction potential of the two precursors could be used to obtain the core–shell‐type configuration of a bimetallic alloy in a one‐pot synthesis method. The core–shell‐type structure of the nanoparticles has also been confirmed by ex situ energy‐dispersive spectroscopy line‐scan and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements with in situ ion etching on fully formed nanoparticles.     

Atomic absorption background of Ba in EXAFS analysis of BaFe12O19 nanoparticles

The approximate barium X‐ray atomic absorption in the energy region of L‐edges is reconstructed from the absorption spectrum of an aqueous solution of BaCl₂. The result is corroborated by comparison with pure atomic absorption spectra of neighbour elements Xe and Cs. The application of the atomic absorption signal as a proper EXAFS background is demonstrated and discussed in the analysis of Ba hexaferrite nanoparticles with a very weak structural signal. The essential gain is found in the decrease of uncertainty intervals of structural parameters and their correlations. A simple analytical model of the absorption background for the practical EXAFS analysis is demonstrated.     

Augmentation of the step‐by‐step Energy‐Scanning EXAFS beamline BL‐09 to continuous‐scan EXAFS mode at INDUS‐2 SRS

An innovative scheme to carry out continuous‐scan X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) measurements similar to quick‐EXAFS mode at the Energy‐Scanning EXAFS beamline BL‐09 at INDUS‐2 synchrotron source (Indore, India), which is generally operated in step‐by‐step scanning mode, is presented. The continuous XAS mode has been implemented by adopting a continuous‐scan scheme of the double‐crystal monochromator and on‐the‐fly measurement of incident and transmitted intensities. This enabled a high signal‐to‐noise ratio to be maintained and the acquisition time was reduced to a few seconds from tens of minutes or hours. The quality of the spectra (signal‐to‐noise level, resolution and energy calibration) was checked by measuring and analysing XAS spectra of standard metal foils. To demonstrate the energy range covered in a single scan, a continuous‐mode XAS spectrum of copper nickel alloy covering both Cu and Ni K‐edges was recorded. The implementation of continuous‐scan XAS mode at BL‐09 would expand the use of this beamline in in situ time‐resolved XAS studies of various important systems of current technological importance. The feasibility of employing this mode of measurement for time‐resolved probing of reaction kinetics has been demonstrated by in situ XAS measurement on the growth of Ag nanoparticles from a solution phase.     

X‐ray K absorption spectral studies of copper (II) hydroxamic acid mixed ligand complexes

X‐ray absorption spectra at the K‐edge of copper have been studied in copper mixed ligand complexes having hydroxamic acid as one of the ligands. The X‐ray absorption spectra have been recorded at BL‐8 Dispersive Extended X‐ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) beamline at the 2.5‐GeV INDUS‐2 Synchrotron Source, RRCAT, Indore, India. The data obtained has been processed using EXAFS data analysis program Athena. The energies of the K absorption edge, chemical shifts, edge‐widths and shifts of the principal absorption maximum in the complexes have been determined and discussed. The chemical shift data have been utilized to estimate effective nuclear charge on the absorbing atom. The normalized EXAFS spectra have been Fourier transformed. The position of the first peak in the Fourier transform gives the value of first shell bond length, which is shorter than the actual bond length as a result of energy dependence of the phase factors in the sine function of the EXAFS equation. This distance is thus the phase‐uncorrected bond length and has also been determined by Lytle, Sayers and Stern's (LSS) graphical method. The results obtained from LSS and the Fourier transformation methods are comparable with each other. The first shell bond length has also been estimated by Lytle's and Levy's methods from the EXAFS data. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An EXAFS spectroscopic study of Am(III) complexation with lactate

The pH dependence (1–7) of Am(III) complexation with lactate in aqueous solution is studied using extended X‐ray absorption fine‐structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy. Structural data (coordination numbers, Am—O and Am—C distances) of the formed Am(III)–lactate species are determined from the raw k³‐weighted Am L_III‐edge EXAFS spectra. Between pH 1 and pH 6, Am(III) speciation shifts continuously towards complexed species with increasing pH. At higher pH, the amount of complexed species decreases due to formation of hydroxo species. The coordination numbers and distances (3.41–3.43 Å) of the coordinating carbon atoms clearly point out that lactate is bound `side‐on' to Am(III) through both the carboxylic and the α‐hydroxy function of lactate. The experimentally determined coordination numbers are compared with speciation calculations on the basis of tabulated thermodynamic stability constants. Both EXAFS data and thermodynamic modelling are in very good agreement. The EXAFS spectra are also analyzed by iterative transformation factor analysis to further verify the determined Am(III) speciation and the used structural model.     

The pH dependence of Am(III) complexation with acetate: an EXAFS study

The complexation of acetate with Am(III) is studied as a function of the pH (1–6) by extended X‐ray absorption fine‐structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy. The molecular structure of the Am(III)–acetate complexes (coordination numbers, oxygen and carbon distances) is determined from the raw k³‐weighted Am L_III‐edge EXAFS spectra. The results show a continuous shift of Am(III) speciation with increasing pH value towards the complexed species. Furthermore, it is verified that acetate coordinates in a bidentate coordination mode to Am(III) (Am—C distance: 2.82 ± 0.03 Å). The EXAFS data are analyzed by iterative transformation factor analysis to further verify the chemical speciation, which is calculated on the basis of thermodynamic constants, and the used structural model. The experimental results are in very good agreement with the thermodynamic modelling.     

In situ X‐ray absorption spectroscopic studies of copper in a copper‐rich sludge during electrokinetic treatments

Speciation of copper in a copper‐rich chemical‐mechanical polishing sludge during electrokinetic treatment has been studied by in situ extended X‐ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) and X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy. The least‐squares‐fitted XANES spectra indicate that the main copper species in the sludge are Cu(OH)₂ (74%), nanosize CuO (20–60 nm) (13%) and CuO (>100 nm) (13%). The average bond distance and coordination number (CN) of Cu—O are 1.96 Å and 3.5, respectively. Under electrokinetic treatment (5 V cm^?1) for 120 min, about 85% of the copper is dissolved in the electrolyte, 13% of which is migrated and enriched on the cathode. Notably the copper nanoparticles in the sludge can also migrate to the cathode under the electric field. By in situ EXAFS, it is found that during the electrokinetic treatment the bond distance and CN of Cu—O are increased by 0.1 Å and 0.9, respectively.     

Surface EXAFS via differential electron yield

Surface‐sensitive analysis via extended X‐ray absorption fine‐structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy is demonstrated using a thickness‐defined SiO₂ (12.4 nm)/Si sample. The proposed method exploits the differential electron yield (DEY) method wherein Auger electrons escaping from a sample surface are detected by an electron analyzer. The DEY method removes local intensity changes in the EXAFS spectra caused by photoelectrons crossing the Auger peak during X‐ray energy sweeps, enabling EXAFS analysis through Fourier transformation of wide‐energy‐range spectral oscillations. The Si K‐edge DEY X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure (XANES) spectrum appears to comprise high amounts of SiO₂ and low Si content, suggesting an analysis depth, as expressed using the inelastic mean free path of electrons in general electron spectroscopy, of approximately 4.2 nm. The first nearest neighbor (Si—O) distance derived from the Fourier transform of the Si K‐edge DEY‐EXAFS oscillation is 1.63 Å. This value is within the reported values of bulk SiO₂, showing that DEY can be used to detect a surface layer of 12.4 nm thickness with an analysis depth of approximately 4.2 nm and enable `surface EXAFS' analysis using Fourier transformation.     

Determining the radial pair distribution function from X‐ray absorption spectra by use of the Landweber iteration method

The Landweber iteration approach is used to construct the radial pair distribution function (RPDF) from an X‐ray absorption (EXAFS) spectrum. The physical motivation for the presented investigation is the possibility to also reconstruct asymmetric RPDFs from the EXAFS spectra. From the methodical point of view the shell fit analysis in the case of complicated spectra would be much more eased if the RPDF for the first shell(s) are computed precisely and independently. The RPDF, as a solution of the fundamental EXAFS integral equation, is examined for theoretical examples, and a detailed noise analysis is performed. As a real example the EXAFS spectrum of curium(III) hydrate is evaluated in a stable way without supplementary conditions by the proposed iteration, i.e. by a recursive application of the EXAFS kernel.     

Extended X‐ray absorption fine structure and multiple‐scattering simulation of nickel dithiolene complexes Ni[S2C2(CF3)2]2n (n = −2, −1, 0) and an olefin adduct Ni[S2C2(CF3)2]2(1‐hexene)

A series of Ni dithiolene complexes Ni[S₂C₂(CF₃)]₂ⁿ (n = ?2, ?1, 0) ( 1 , 2 , 3 ) and a 1‐hexene adduct Ni[S₂C₂(CF₃)₂]₂(C₆H₁₂) ( 4 ) have been examined by Ni K‐edge X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure (XANES) and extended X‐ray absorption fine‐structure (EXAFS) spectroscopies. Ni XANES for 1 – 3 reveals clear pre‐edge features and approximately +0.7 eV shift in the Ni K‐edge position for `one‐electron' oxidation. EXAFS simulation shows that the Ni—S bond distances for 1 , 2 and 3 (2.11–2.16 Å) are within the typical values for square planar complexes and decrease by ～0.022 Å for each `one‐electron' oxidation. The changes in Ni K‐edge energy positions and Ni—S distances are consistent with the `non‐innocent' character of the dithiolene ligand. The Ni—C interactions at ～3.0 Å are analyzed and the multiple‐scattering parameters are also determined, leading to a better simulation for the overall EXAFS spectra. The 1‐hexene adduct 4 presents no pre‐edge feature, and its Ni K‐edge position shifts by ?0.8 eV in comparison with its starting dithiolene complex 3 . Consistently, EXAFS also showed that the Ni—S distances in 4 elongate by ～0.046 Å in comparison with 3 . The evidence confirms that the neutral complex is `reduced' upon addition of olefin, presumably by olefin donating the π‐electron density to the LUMO of 3 as suggested by UV/visible spectroscopy in the literature.     

In situ observation of Ni–Mo–S phase formed on NiMo/Al2O3 catalyst sulfided at high pressure by means of Ni and Mo K‐edge EXAFS spectroscopy

To obtain direct evidence of the formation of the Ni–Mo–S phase on NiMo/Al₂O₃ catalysts under high‐pressure hydrodesulfurization conditions, a high‐pressure EXAFS chamber has been constructed and used to investigate the coordination structure of Ni and Mo species on the catalysts sulfided at high pressure. The high‐pressure chamber was designed to have a low dead volume and was equipped with polybenzimidazole X‐ray windows. Ni K‐edge k³χ(k) spectra with high signal‐to‐noise ratio were obtained using this high‐pressure chamber for the NiMo/Al₂O₃ catalyst sulfided at 613 K and 1.1 MPa over a wide k range (39.5–146 nm^?1). The formation of Ni–Mo and Mo–Ni coordination shells was successfully proved by Ni and Mo K‐edge EXAFS measurement using this chamber. Interatomic distances of these coordination shells were almost identical to those calculated from Ni K‐edge EXAFS of NiMo/C catalysts sulfided at atmospheric pressure. These results support the hypothesis that the Ni–Mo–S phase is formed on the Al₂O₃‐supported NiMo catalyst sulfided under high‐pressure hydrodesulfurization conditions.     

The effect of self‐consistent potentials on EXAFS analysis

A theory program intended for use with extended X‐ray‐absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy and based on the popular FEFF8 is presented. It provides an application programming interface designed to make it easy to integrate high‐quality theory into EXAFS analysis software. This new code is then used to examine the impact of self‐consistent scattering potentials on EXAFS data analysis by methodical testing of theoretical fitting standards against a curated suite of measured EXAFS data. For each data set, the results of a fit are compared using a well characterized structural model and theoretical fitting standards computed both with and without self‐consistent potentials. It is demonstrated that the use of self‐consistent potentials has scant impact on the results of the EXAFS analysis.     

Position and flux stabilization of X‐ray beams produced by double‐crystal monochromators for EXAFS scans at the titanium K‐edge

The simultaneous and active feedback stabilization of X‐ray beam position and monochromatic beam flux during EXAFS scans at the titanium K‐edge as produced by a double‐crystal monochromator beamline is reported. The feedback is generated using two independent feedback loops using separate beam flux and position measurements. The flux is stabilized using a fast extremum‐searching algorithm that is insensitive to changes in the synchrotron ring current and energy‐dependent monochromator output. Corrections of beam height are made using an innovative transmissive beam position monitor instrument. The efficacy of the feedback stabilization method is demonstrated by comparing the measurements of EXAFS spectra on inhomogeneous diluted Ti‐containing samples with and without feedback applied.     

Data analysis method to achieve sub‐10 pm spatial resolution using extended X‐ray absorption fine‐structure spectroscopy

Obtaining sub‐10 pm spatial resolution by extended X‐ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy is required in many important fields of research, such as lattice distortion studies in colossal magnetic resistance materials, high‐temperature superconductivity materials etc. However, based on the existing EXAFS data analysis methods, EXAFS has a spatial resolution limit of π/2Δk which is larger than 0.1 Å. In this paper a new data analysis method which can easily achieve sub‐10 pm resolution is introduced. Theoretically, the resolution limit of the method is three times better than that normally available. The method is examined by numerical simulation and experimental data. As a demonstration, the LaFe_1–xCr_xO₃ system (x = 0, 1/3, 2/3) is studied and the structural information of FeO₆ octahedral distortion as a function of Cr doping is resolved directly from EXAFS, where a resolution better than 0.074 Å is achieved.     

Influence of phonon confinement,surface stress,and zirconium doping on the Raman vibrational properties of anatase TiO2 nanoparticles

We present a comprehensive analysis of the Raman spectra of pure and zirconium‐doped anatase TiO₂ nanoparticles. To account for the wavenumber shifts of the E_g(ν₆) mode as a function of particle size (L) and dopant concentration (x), a modification of the standard phonon confinement model (PCM) is introduced, which takes into account the contribution of surface stress by means of the Laplace–Young equation. Together with X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy data, our analysis shows that the surface stress contribution to the observed blue shift of the Raman wavenumber is of the same magnitude as the spatial phonon confinement effect. Annealing experiments show that Zr‐doped nanoparticles exhibit retarded grain growth and delayed anatase‐to‐rutile phase transition by up to 200 K compared to pure anatase TiO₂. XRD shows that Zr doping leads to a unit cell expansion of the anatase structure. Applying the modified PCM to the x‐dependent variations of the E_g(ν₆) Raman mode, the mode‐Grüneisen parameter is found to increase abruptly at x > 0.07 with a concomitant mode softening. This coincides with the x range over which the Zr cations are reported to be displaced from their position in the tetrahedral lattice, and where Zr precipitation occurs upon annealing. The results have implications for the interpretation of Raman spectra of ionic metal oxide nanoparticles and how these are modified upon cation doping. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Controlled synthesis of colloidal silver nanoparticles in capillary micro-flow reactor

In this study, using a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) capillary tube as a micro-flow reactor, well-dispersed colloidal silver nanoparticles were controllably synthesized with different flow rates of precursory solution. Scanning transmission electron microscopy images and UV–visible absorbance spectra showed that silver nanoparticles with large size can be prepared with slow flow rate in the PTFE capillary reactor. The effects of tube diameters on the growth of colloidal silver nanoparticles were investigated. Experiment results demonstrated that using tube with small diameter was more propitious for the controllable synthesis of silver nanoparticles with different sizes.

     

The materials science X‐ray beamline BL8 at the DELTA storage ring

The hard X‐ray beamline BL8 at the superconducting asymmetric wiggler at the 1.5 GeV Dortmund Electron Accelerator DELTA is described. This beamline is dedicated to X‐ray studies in the spectral range from ～1 keV to ～25 keV photon energy. The monochromator as well as the other optical components of the beamline are optimized accordingly. The endstation comprises a six‐axis diffractometer that is capable of carrying heavy loads related to non‐ambient sample environments such as, for example, ultrahigh‐vacuum systems, high‐pressure cells or liquid‐helium cryostats. X‐ray absorption spectra from several reference compounds illustrate the performance. Besides transmission measurements, fluorescence detection for dilute sample systems as well as surface‐sensitive reflection‐mode experiments have been performed. The results show that high‐quality EXAFS data can be obtained in the quick‐scanning EXAFS mode within a few seconds of acquisition time, enabling time‐resolved in situ experiments using standard beamline equipment that is permanently available. The performance of the new beamline, especially in terms of the photon flux and energy resolution, is competitive with other insertion‐device beamlines worldwide, and several sophisticated experiments including surface‐sensitive EXAFS experiments are feasible.     

A comparative study of the spectra recorded at RRCAT synchrotron BL-8 dispersive EXAFS beamline with other beamlines

The aim of the present work is to make a comparative study of the EXAFS spectra recorded at the BL-8 dispersive EXAFS beamline at 2 GeV Indus-2 synchrotron source at RRCAT, Indore (India) with those recorded at other synchrotron EXAFS beamlines, viz., X-19A at NSLS, BNL (USA), EXAFS wiggler beamline 4-1 at the SSRL (USA) and beamline 11.1 at ELETTRA (Italy). For this purpose, EXAFS spectra at Cu K-edge in copper metal have been recorded at these four beamlines. Further, EXAFS spectra at Cu K-edge in a copper complex have also been recorded at BL-8 beamline and beamline 11.1 at ELETTRA (Italy). The obtained experimental μ(E) data have been background-subtracted and then normalized. The normalized data have been then converted to χ(k) data, which have been Fourier-transformed and then fitted with the theoretical model, thereby yielding different structural parameters. It has been shown that the results obtained from the EXAFS spectra recorded at the BL-8 beamline are comparable with those obtained from other synchrotron EXAFS beamlines and also with the crystallographic results reported by earlier workers. The reliability, usefulness and data quality of the BL-8 beamline have been discussed.     

Quasi in situ Ni K‐edge EXAFS investigation of the spent NiMo catalyst from ultra‐deep hydrodesulfurization of gas oil in a commercial plant

Ni species on the spent NiMo catalyst from ultra‐deep hydrodesulfurization of gas oil in a commercial plant were studied by Ni K‐edge EXAFS and TEM measurement without contact of the catalysts with air. The Ni–Mo coordination shell related to the Ni–Mo–S phase was observed in the spent catalyst by quasi in situ Ni K‐edge EXAFS measurement with a newly constructed high‐pressure chamber. The coordination number of this shell was almost identical to that obtained by in situ Ni K‐edge EXAFS measurement of the fresh catalyst sulfided at 1.1 MPa. On the other hand, large agglomerates of Ni₃S₂ were observed only in the spent catalyst by quasi in situ TEM/EDX measurement. MoS₂‐like slabs were sintered slightly on the spent catalyst, where they were destacked to form monolayer slabs. These results suggest that the Ni–Mo–S phase is preserved on the spent catalyst and Ni₃S₂ agglomerates are formed by sintering of Ni₃S₂ species originally present on the fresh catalyst.     

Titanium local structure in tektite probed by X‐ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy

The local structure of titanium in tektites from six strewn fields was studied by Ti K‐edge X‐ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) and extended X‐ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) in order to provide quantitative data on Ti—O distance and Ti coordination number. The titanium in tektites possessed different coordination environment types. XANES spectra patterns revealed resemblance to high‐temperature TiO₂–SiO₂ glass and TiO₂ anatase. All samples showed that the valence of Ti is 4+. Based on the Ti—O distances, coordination numbers and radial distribution function determined by EXAFS analyses, the tektites were classified into three types: type I, Ti occupies a four‐coordinated tetrahedral site with Ti—O distances of 1.84–1.79 Å; type II, Ti occupies a five‐coordinated trigonal bipyramidal or tetragonal pyramidal site with Ti—O distances of 1.92–1.89 Å; type III, Ti occupies a six‐coordinated octahedral site with Ti—O distances of 2.00–1.96 Å. Although Ti occupies the TiO₆ octahedral site in most titanium minerals under ambient conditions, some tektites have four‐ and five‐coordinated Ti. This study indicated that the local structure of Ti might change in impact events and the following stages.