X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic investigation on the elemental chemical shifts in multiferroic BiFeO3 and its valence band structure

A phenomenological rule based on the charge transfer, exists to predict the ionic/covalent character of the bonds in mixed oxides and is widely used to explain the binding-energy shifts of cations in mixed oxides compared to their simple oxides. Here, we have verified the above rule in the multiferroic BiFeO₃ and have applied the same to explain the X-ray photoelectron spectra of BiFeO₃ and its parent oxides Fe₂O₃ and Bi₂O₃. Ionic charges on Fe, Bi and O were calculated from density functional theory (DFT) within the local density approximation. Measured chemical shifts of O 1s, Fe 2p_3/2 and Bi 4f_5/2 were compared with the chemical shifts evaluated theoretically considering different contributions such as charge transfer, Madelung potential (initial state effect) and extra-atomic relaxation (final state effect). The chemical shift in the binding energy of O 1s photoelectron was used to build a covalence scale among Fe₂O₃, Bi₂O₃ and BiFeO₃. The effect of charge transfer on the valence band spectra of BiFeO₃ was also investigated.     

Characterization of hexavalent chromium interaction with Sargassum by X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and quantum chemistry calculation

Hexavalent chromium represents higher toxicity in aqueous solutions. It can be removed by such low-cost biosorbents as Sargassum sp. In this study, X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and quantum chemistry (QC) calculation were used to study the interactions between hexavalent chromium and Sargassum sp. during the biosorption. It was found that most of the adsorbed Cr(VI) ions were reduced to Cr(III) after the biosorption. The electrons for the reduction of Cr(VI) were possibly supplied from the Sargassum biomass, some organic compounds of which were oxidized. Cr(III) ions were coordinated with the oxygen atoms from either carboxyl or hydroxyl functional groups to form an octahedral structural metal complex. The coordination numbers of the formed Cr complex were 4-6, and bond length of Cr-O was 1.98?. QC calculation proved the possible formation of the Cr(III) metal complex, and revealed that carboxyl from biomass could be strongly bound with Cr(III). A three-step removal mechanism of Cr(VI) by Sargassum was proposed.     

The electronic structure of iron carbonyl complexes as probed by X-ray emission spectroscopy and quantum-chemical calculations

The electronic structure of the polynuclear iron carbonyl complexes [Et₂N][Fe₄N(CO)₁₂], [Et₄N]₂[Fe₅C(CO)₁₄], and [Et₄N]₂[Fe₆C(CO)₁₆] has been studied by X-ray emission spectroscopy and quantum-chemical calculations. The fine structure of the FeKβ₅ X-ray emission spectra characterizes the distribution of iron valence p electrons over the molecular orbitals of the compounds. Comparison of the fine structure of the FeKβ₅ X-ray emission spectra with the densities of states of all atoms in the molecules has made it possible to determine in detail the character and specific features of chemical bonding in the complexes.     

Electronic structure of ZrCuSiAs and ZrCuSiP by X-ray photoelectron and absorption spectroscopy

The electronic structures of quaternary pnictides ZrCuSiPn (Pn=P, As) were analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES). Shifts in the core-line XPS and the XANES spectra indicate that the Zr and Cu atoms are cationic, whereas the Si and Pn atoms are anionic, consistent with expectations from simple bonding models. The Cu 2p XPS and Cu L-edge XANES spectra support the presence of Cu¹⁺. The small magnitudes of the energy shifts in the XPS spectra suggest significant covalent character in the Zr-Si, Zr-Pn, and Cu-Pn bonds. On progressing from ZrCuSiP to ZrCuSiAs, the Si atoms remain largely unaffected, as indicated by the absence of shifts in the Si 2p_3/2 binding energy and the Si L-edge absorption energy, while the charge transfer from metal to Pn atoms becomes less pronounced, as indicated by shifts in the Cu K-edge and Zr K, L-edge absorption energies. The transition from two-dimensional character in LaNiAsO to three-dimensional character in ZrCuSiAs proceeds through the development of Si-Si bonds within the [ZrSi] layer and Zr-As bonds between the [ZrSi] and [CuAs] layers.     

Crystal structure and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of ciprofloxacinium tetrachloroaurate monohydrate

The complex (CfqH₂AuCl₄ · H₂O ((CfqH₂)⁺ is the ciprofloxacinium cation) was isolated and analyzed by spectral luminescence, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis. The central Au(III) atom has no direct interatomic contacts with the 1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-4-oxo-(1-piperazinyl)-1,4-dihydro-3-quinolinecarboxylic acid (CfqH) molecule. The structure is formed by the [AuCl₄]^? anions having a square structure, (CfqH₂)⁺ cations, and water molecules combined by hydrogen bonds. The protonation of CfqH occurs at the terminal nitrogen atom of the piperazinyl group. Core-level X-ray photo-electron spectra of carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and fluorine were measured. Cleavage of the Su-Cl bond was shown to be the primary step of the photoinduced decomposition of the compound.     

Electronic structure of ReO3Me by variable photon energy photoelectron spectroscopy,absorption spectroscopy and density functional calculations

Valence photoelectron (PE) spectra have been measured for ReO(3)Me using a synchrotron source for photon energies ranging between 20 and 110 eV. Derived branching ratios (BR) and relative partial photoionization cross sections (RPPICS) are interpreted in the context of a bonding model calculated using density functional theory (DFT). Agreement between calculated and observed ionization energies (IE) is excellent. The 5d character of the orbitals correlates with the 5p --> 5d resonances of the associated RPPICS; these resonances commence around 47 eV. Bands with 5d character also show a RPPICS maximum at 35 eV. The RPPICS associated with the totally symmetric 4a(1) orbital, which has s-like character, shows an additional shape resonance with an onset of 43 eV. The PE spectrum of the inner valence and core region measured with photon energies of 108 and 210 eV shows ionization associated with C 2s, O 2s, and Re 4f and 5p electrons. Absorption spectra measured in the region of the O1s edge showed structure assignable to excitation to the low lying empty "d" orbitals of this d(0) molecule. The separation of the absorption bands corresponded with the calculated orbital splitting and their intensity with the calculated O 2p character. Broad bands associated with Re 4d absorption were assigned to (2)D(5/2) and (2)D(3/2) hole states. Structure was observed associated with the C1s edge but instrumental factors prevented firm assignment. At the Re 5p edge, structure was observed on the (2)P(3/2) absorption band resulting from excitation to the empty "d" levels. The intensity ratios differed from that of the O 1s edge structure but were in good agreement with the calculated 5d character of these orbitals. An absorption was observed at 45 eV, which, in the light of the resonance in the 4a(1) RPPICS, is assigned to a 4a(1) --> ne, na(2) transition. The electronic structure established for ReO(3)Me differs substantially from that of TiCl(3)Me and accounts for the difference in chemical behavior found for the two complexes.     

X-ray spectral and photoelectron study of the electronic structure of copper phthalocyanine and its fluoro-substituted analog

A complex experimental study of Cu(2p _3/2), Cu(2p _1/2) photoelectron and Kα_1,2 and Lα_1,2 X-ray emission spectra of copper in copper phthalocyanine CuPcH₁₆ and its fluoro-substituted analog CuPcF₁₆ is carried out. A charge transfer model is used to interpret the spectra. It is shown that Kα₁ and Kα₂ lines of the spindoublet of copper have a complex structure due to the processes of metal-to-ligand charge transfer. The role of a satellite in the formation of emission lines is revealed.     

Two-dimensional angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy using display analyzer—Atomic orbital analysis and characterization of valence band

The information obtained by two-dimensional angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy in UPS (ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy) region is described. A display-type spherical mirror analyzer can measure wide-angle angular distribution of photoelectrons of one particular kinetic energy (binding energy) without changing the angles of incident light and the sample. The shape of the cross section of valence band, especially of the Fermi surface can be observed directly on the screen. Three-dimensional energy band and Fermi surface are obtained by scanning the binding energy of two-dimensional band mapping. In the case of linearly polarized light excitation the symmetry relation in the photoelectron excitation process can also be displayed as “angular distribution from atomic orbital ADAO”, which is used to distinguish the atomic orbitals constituting the energy band. An example is shown for the atomic orbital analysis of Cu Fermi surface at each k point. It was successfully revealed that the Cu 4p orbitals are aligned with their axes pointing outwards. Another important angular distribution is the “photoemission structure factor PSF”, which originates from the interference among photoelectron waves from individual atoms. PSF determines the intensity inequivalency between Brillouin zones and reveals the bonding character of the energy band.     

A study of conduction band edge states in complex oxides by X-ray absorption spectroscopy

Conduction band edge d-states are compared for complex oxides: (i) mixed tetravalent–trivalent ZrO₂–Y₂O₃ alloys, (ii) tetravalent Zr(Hf)O₂–TiO₂ alloys, and (iii) trivalent La scandate and aluminate. Low Y₂O₃ content cubic ZrO₂–Y₂O₃ alloys display two crystal-field split 4d-features in O K₁ spectra. Alloys with higher Y₂O₃ content, as well as Zr(Hf)O₂–TiO₂ alloys display increased d-state multiplicity. O K₁ spectra of perovskite-structured LaScO₃ and LaAlO₃ indicate Jahn–Teller d-state term-splittings with contributions from both trivalent atomic species.     

X-ray photoelectron study of the structure and composition of organometal cluster systems

This paper gives the results of the study of the structure and composition of copper- and cobalt-containing complex compounds synthesized using acetylacetone and triethyleneglycoldimethacrylate as complexons. It was established by X-ray photoelectron, IR, UV, and ESR spectroscopy that the cluster nuclei differ in size from each other by about a factor of three. When acetylacetonate is used as a complexon, the nature of the metal determines the character of interactions during structure formation of cluster systems. In the case of triethyleneglycoldimethacrylate, the character of metal-complexon interactions is determined from the variation of the X-ray photoelectron spectrum of oxygen. Translated fromZhumal Struktumoi Khimii, Vol. 39, No. 6, pp. 1107–1112, November–December, 1998.     

Conformational properties and electronic structure of tetrahydrotetrazines studied by photoelectron spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations

The photoelectron (PE) spectra of tetrahydro-1,2,3,4-tetrazines 1 and 2 and tetrahydro-1,2,4,5-tetrazines 3–5 have been recorded and their conformations have been investigated by ab initio SCF calculations. While v-tetrazine2 is planar, tetrazines 1 and 3–5 each possess two low-energy conformations, according to ab initio HF and Becke3LYP methods. Attempts to assign ionization potentials to molecular orbitals obtained by semiempirical PM3 calculations indicate that this method is not suited for the compounds studied. Best results were obtained when the ab initio hybrid method Becke3LYP of the density functional theory was employed. Two conformers of 1 and 3–5 are present in the gas phase and their PE spectra are superimposed one upon the other. For v-tetrazine1, ionizations arising from half-chair and unsymmetrical boat conformers have similar energies and cannot be separated in the PE spectrum. For s-tetrazine3, on the other hand, the spectrum clearly shows different ionizations of both half-chairs, 3ee and 3ae.     

Electronic structure of calix[4]arene thioethers and their complexes with palladium,as studied by X-ray emission spectroscopy,X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy,and quantum chemistry

The charge state of calix[4]arene thioethers and their complexes with palladium was studied by X-ray emission spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Experimental data were compared with the results of quantumchemical calculations. The involvement of the sulfur lone electron pairs in the coordination to Pd atoms causes a decrease in the energies of the corresponding MOs having contributions from the sulfur 3p AOs and, consequently, a decrease in the intensity of the maximum A on going from the S(Kβ) spectra of free ligands to the spectra of complexes. The binuclear nature of the complexes does not lead to the onset of significant additional interactions between two metal centers.     

Electronic structure of guanidine and its derivatives from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory studies

Electronic structure of guanidine, diphenylguanidine, their protonated forms, and guanidinium chloride have been studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and quantum-chemical modeling. From the derived geometry parameters and electronic structure, the effect of protonation on localization of the electron density has been revealed. The lines in the valence region of the X-ray photoelectron spectra have been assigned.     

Bonding structure analysis of carbon nitride films by Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)

Carbon nitride films were prepared by an opposed-target DC reactive sputtering system and the bonding behaviors were investigated according to the nitrogen content and annealing temperature. Annealing leads to a loss of nitrogen from the films and the CN is totally removed at 600 °C. Due to annealing at 600 °C, the C---C out-of-plane vibrational band intensity at 700 cm⁻¹ becomes very low and also the CN band at 2200 cm⁻¹ disappears completely. The sp² bonding in a CN compound is the most stable phase. Due to carbon's atypical nature in having its p orbital more compact and tightly bound compared to s states, the C=N sp² phase is more stable than the C---C sp³ phase. As the C=N sp² phase dominates the structure, the film is mainly graphite-like with some proportion of C---C, CN and N=N bonds.     

Electronic structure and thermal decomposition of 5-methyltetrazole studied by UV photoelectron spectroscopy and theoretical calculations

The electronic properties and thermal decomposition of 5-methyltetrazole (5MTZ) are investigated using UV photoelectron spectroscopy (UVPES) and theoretical calculations. Simulated spectra of both 1H- and 2H-5MTZ, based on electron propagator methods, are produced in order to study the relative tautomer population. The thermal decomposition results are rationalized in terms of G2(MP2) results. 5MTZ yields a HOMO ionization energy of 10.82 ± 0.04 eV and the gas-phase 5MTZ assumes predominantly the 2H-form. Its gas-phase thermal decomposition starts at ca. 195 °C and leads to the formation of N₂,CH₃CN and HCN. N₂ is formed from two competing routes, involving 150.2 and 126.2 kJ/mol energy barriers, from 2H- and 1H-5MTZ, respectively. CH₃CN is formed also from two competing pathways, requiring activation energies of 218.3 (2H-5MTZ) and 198.6 kJ/mol (1H-5MTZ). Conclusions are also drawn in order to explain the formation of HCN from secondary reactions in the thermal decomposition process.     

Study by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of rice husk and the products of its processing

The rice floral glume (husk) and its processing products were studied using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. We established that the rice husk contained silica in two non-equivalent forms in 1:3 ratio. The predominating form is silicon dioxide, while the minor component contains the silicon bound with the organic component which is stable up to ∼350°C.     

Dynamic effect on the structure of X-ray photoelectron spectra of lanthanide fluorides and oxides

Dynamic effect on the fine structure of X-ray photoelectron spectra of lanthanide oxides and fluorides is discussed. The Ln4p electron spectra are considerably complicated by the interaction between the configurations of themain one-hole and additional two-hole final states of 4p⁵4d⁵⁴fⁿ ↔ 4p⁶4d⁸fⁿ⁺¹ type. The effect of the nature of atoms in the nearest environment of lanthanide ions on the fine structure parameters is evaluated. Translated fromZhurnal Struktumoi Khimii, Vol. 39, No. 6, pp. 1059–1066, November–December, 1998.     

Electronic structure of the valence bands of SnF2 studied by ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy

The main features of the photoelectron spectrum of the valence bands of solid-phase SnF₂ are susccessfully interpreted in terms of linear combination of atomic orbitals-molecular orbital theory.     

Investigation of composition and chemical state of elements in iron boride by the method of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

The composition and chemical state of iron and boron in the surface layer of iron boride under different kinds of pretreatment of samples have been investigated by the method of X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy. It has been found that in the initial sample there is oxygen chemically combined with iron and boron atoms. Upon heating (450°C) in hydrogen, in argon, and in vacuo there occurs removal of oxygen only from iron atoms (no pure iron was found to be formed). Boron oxidizes and there probably appears a new surface combination of boron with oxygen in which the bonding energy of 1s electrons is higher than that in B₂O₃. Treatment of the iron boride surface with argon ions and with protons ensures uniform removal of oxygen from iron and boron atoms. It has been found that thermal treatment of iron boride leads to depletion of iron atoms from the sample surface layer, and pickling with argon ions and with protons leads to strong enrichment. Iron boride samples subjected to Ar⁺ and H⁺ bombardment tend to undergo significant oxidation when subsequently exposed to air at room temperature.