X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic analysis of lead accumulated in aquatic bryophytes

Lead accumulated in aquatic bryophytes, Pohlia ludwigii, Scapania undulata and Pellia endiviifolia, has been characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The well resolved pb 4f (4f(7 2 ) and 4f(5 2 )) spectra indicate that the bonding state of lead in each bryophyte is that giving a fairly narrow distribution in the binding energy. The Pb 4f(7 2 ) binding energy depends on the bryophyte species and is lower than that for lead sulphate. It is also possible to use XPS to detect zinc and copper accumulated in bryophytes.     

X-ray and UV photoelectron spectroscopy of Ag nanoclusters

The main purpose of the present work is to analyze a series of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) with different size or ligand functionalization by using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and to identify the differences in the band-shape and energy peak position of photoemission spectra due to the particle dimension. A transmission electron microscopy characterization was performed, to verify the consistency of the results. Three types of samples were prepared starting from AgNO₃ water solution and adding different capping agents. In the first two cases, the formation of NPs was promoted by the reduction of silver ions Ag⁺¹ to metallic Ag⁰ through the addition of sodium borohydride, whereas in the last case, it was triggered by the exposure to UV light. Depending on the size of the NPs, a different physical behavior can be recognized. NPs with diameter of about 5 nm are characterized by the phenomenon of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). The other type of samples having a diameter of about 1.5 nm presents discrete energy levels instead of electronic bands, and in this case, a typical fluorescence phenomenon can be observed. In the latter case, we can refer to such systems as nanoclusters. The XPS analyses were focused on the Ag 3D spectra looking for the possible shifts of the Ag doublet as a function of the particles size. The ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy with He II source was used for the investigation of possible changes in the valence band.     

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic study of copper minerals

The valence states of Cu and S atoms have been studied by XPS for 25 samples of copper minerals. The Cu atoms are found to be monovalent in the following sulfides: CuS, CuCo₂S₄, Cu₃(Ge, Fe) (S, As)₄, CuFeS₂, CuFe₂S₃, Cu₂FeSnS₄, Cu₅FeS₄, Cu₃AsS₄, Cu₃(As, Sn, V)S₄, (Cu, Fe)₁₂Sb₄S₁₃, (Cu, Fe)₁₂As₄S₁₃, Cu₇S₄, Cu₂S, CuInS₂, CuGaS₂. The S 2p spectrum of CuS shows a doublet structure corresponding to the two different electronic states of the S atoms.     

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic studies of solid electrolytes

A study of solid electrolytes by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveals that silver (I) and copper (I) compounds generally show very small shifts in electron binding energies. The complex crystal structure of the β-aluminas, however, gives rise to different cation sites which can be distinguished by this technique. Calculations of self-potential show the importance of this term for determining shifts. The possibility of determining the partial ionic charge from the measured shift is also considered.     

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic investigation of conducting polymer blends

Electrochemically prepared films of conducting polymers of polypyrrole and polythiophene and their blends with polyamide have been investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. In the N1s region of the spectra of films containing polypyrrole the peak corresponding to N(+) at 402.0 eV is separated from that of neutral N. The intensity of the N(+) peak can be correlated with the electrical conductivity of the films and the spectroscopically derived ratio of F/N(+) is close to 4 indicating that one BF(-)(4) dopant ion is incorporated for every oxidized nitrogen center. In the spectra of films of polythiophene and its blends peaks corresponding to S and S(+) can not be resolved but again the F/C ratio correlates with the electrical conductivity.     

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic investigation of conducting polymer blends

Electrochemically prepared films of conducting polymers of polypyrrole and polythiophene and their blends with polyamide have been investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. In the N1s region of the spectra of films containing polypyrrole the peak corresponding to N⁺ at 402.0 eV is separated from that of neutral N. The intensity of the N⁺ peak can be correlated with the electrical conductivity of the films and the spectroscopically derived ratio of F/N⁺ is close to 4 indicating that one BF^-₄ dopant ion is incorporated for every oxidized nitrogen center. In the spectra of films of polythiophene and its blends peaks corresponding to S and S⁺ can not be resolved but again the F/C ratio correlates with the electrical conductivity.     

Grazing incidence X-ray photoemission spectroscopy of SiO2 on Si

We have applied grazing incidence X-ray photoemission spectroscopy to the determination of the thickness of SiO₂ layers on Si, as well as surface carbon that is present. The measurements take advantage of the different optical constants of the layers. X-rays incident on the surface at grazing angle undergo total external reflection, where the fields in each layer are subject to highly non-linear changes as a function of incidence angle. X-ray photoemission excited by these fields gives information on atomic species, chemical state, and layer thickness. Simultaneous fits are made to the photoemission spectra in each layer. The method is illustrated for a thermally grown oxide layer and a native oxide on Si.     

An X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic study of novel SiON glasses

Novel SiON glasses obtained by melting mixtures of crystalline α-SiO₂ and α-Si₃N₄ were investigated by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The incorporation of nitrogen into the SiO₂ network was recently proved by ²⁹Si-MAS-NMR (magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance) and Si K-XANES (X-ray absorption near edge structure). The Si 2p XPS and the Si KLL XAES (X-ray excited Auger electron spectroscopy) studies of the SiON glasses confirm the formation of mixed structural units (SiO_xN_4-x) by the presence of an additional spectral component energetically located between SiO₂- and Si₃N₄-like signals. The N 1s and O 1s XPS spectra support the conclusion about the incorporation of nitrogen into the SiO₂ network.     

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic study of tetraphenyldithiapyranylidene and its polyiodides

High resolution X-ray photoelectron spectra are reported for tetraphenyldithiapyranylidene (DIPSσ₄), three of its polyiodides, and its diperchlor allows to emphasize the evolution of the structure with iodine contents. The chemical nature of the iodine species is also inferred from the I3d_{$\text{5}\text{2}$} signal shape. The low binding energy of the highest occupied molecular orbital is compared to that of other π-systems, and the Iteration of the electron delocalization is shown to be rel     

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic studies of charge transfer interactions in electroactive polyaniline

Four modes of charge transfer interactions in polyaniline (PAN), viz. acid protonation, self-doping, charge transfer interactions with organic acceptors, and charge transfer interactions with surface grafted functional polymers have been studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). In the case of acid protonation, the protonation behavior of volatile and non-volatile acid differs. The structures of sulfonated leucomeraldine (LM) and nigraniline (NA) are similar to those of sulfonated and self-protonated emeraldine (EM). A substantially higher degree of charge transfer interaction with the organic acceptors is observed for EM film that has been subjected to one cycle of acid/base treatment. The charge transfer interactions with the organic acceptors have proceeded further than the pure formation of molecular complexes. Both pristine and Ar plasma or O₃ pretreated EM films are susceptible to surface modifications by graft copolymerization. The protonic acid functional groups of the graft readily give rise to a self-protonated EM surface.     

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic and electrochemical impedance spectroscopic analysis of RuO2-Ta2O5 thick film pH sensors

The paper reports on investigation of the pH sensing mechanism of thick film RuO₂-Ta₂O₅ sensors by using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Interdigitated conductimetric pH sensors were screen printed on alumina substrates. The microstructure and elemental composition of the films were examined by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. The XPS studies revealed the presence of Ru ions at different oxidation states and the surface hydroxylation of the sensing layer increasing with increasing pH. The EIS analysis carried out in the frequency range 10 Hz–2 MHz showed that the electrical parameters of the sensitive electrodes in the low frequency range were distinctly dependent on pH. The charge transfer and ionic exchange occurring at metal oxide-solution interface were indicated as processes responsible for the sensing mechanism of thick film RuO₂-Ta₂O₅ pH sensors.     

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic studies of hydrophilic surfaces modified via admicellar polymerization

Admicellar polymerization with styrene monomer was used to coat the surface of two porous solids: titanium dioxide and alumina. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements clearly indicate that after admicellar polymerization, organic material and surfactant are present on the surface of the solids. Water washes, performed immediately after admicellar polymerization, were successful in removing approximately 30% of the organic material, presumably mostly surfactant. The water wash was followed by Soxhlet extraction with toluene, with no measurable removal of organic material according to ignition loss measurements of the solid, gel permeation chromatography of the extracting solvent and also UV/VIS spectroscopy of the extracting solvent. However, there was a 5-15% drop in organic material after Soxhlet extraction according to XPS measurements. This difference is attributed to the difference in sampling; XPS samples only the exterior surface area while these bulk measurements sample both the interior and exterior surface area. This study details the ability of different washing steps to remove materials from the porous substrates used in this study.     

Alpha-activation analysis of boron on Si surface and in Si and SiO2 films

Brazil has become the largest producer of biomass ethanol derived from sugar cane. The industrial production is based on the fermentation of sugar cane juice by yeast, inside of large volume vats, in a fed-batch process that recycles yeast cells. To study the dynamics of chemical elements in each operating cycle, five stages of the fementation process were considered: must, yeast suspension, wine, non-yeast wine and yeast cream. For this, a mass balance of the terrigenous elements, Ce, Co, Cs, Eu, Fe, Hf, La, Na, Sc, Sm, and Th, and the sugar cane plant elements, Br, K, Rb, and Zn, were established in fementation vats of an industrial scale unit, with sampling undertaken during different climatic conditions (dry and rainy periods). A similar distribution of the sugar cane characteristics elements was found for the stages analysed, while for the terrigenous elements a trend of accumulation in the yeast cream was observed. Preferential absorption of Br, K, Rb, and Zn by yeast cells was indicated by the smaller concentrations observed in yeast suspension than in yeast cream.     

Small copper nanoclusters: X-ray absorption analysis

X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectra at the cooper L_2,3-edge of small cooper nanoclusters has been studied. Theoretical interpretation of XANES spectra measured for small copper nanoclusters have been performed. Theoretical analysis is based on a self-consistent full multiple scattering theory of X-ray absorption as well as on non-muffin-tin finite difference method (FDM). This approach allows choosing the best model for local geometry of small cooper nanoclusters.     

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic study of migration of Ag and Pd in zeolite catalysts

Conclusions On the sample of the Ag forms of zeolite Y and the Pd form of zeolite X it was shown that x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy can be used to study the migration of elements, capable of reduction, in zeolite catalysts.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 9, pp. 2134–2136, September, 1973.The authors express their gratitude to P. I. Slyunyaev for supplying the PdNaX sample.