Quantitative surface characterization using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Use of X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) for quantitative surface analysis is reviewed. Examples chosen are from our research on heterogeneous catalysts. XPS is useful for measuring distributions of oxidation states because of significant chemical shifts for many elements. However, linewidths complicate analysis of mixtures, necessitating the use of data analysis methodology. Use of factor analysis or deconvolution with non-linear least squares curve fitting gives useful protocols. Five important questions are posed, and some examples of solutions are presented: 1) How many components are present? 2) Where are they located? 3) What do they look like? 4) How much of each component is present? 5) How good is the answer?     

XPS光电子峰和俄歇电子峰峰位表

在长期从事XPS分析测试的经验基础上,搜集了有关文献中的大量数据,编制了XPS光电子峰和俄歇电子峰峰位表,用于正确识别各种样品XPS谱图中的电子峰,达到快速、正确分析各种样品元素组成和化学组成的目的．本峰位表对于从事XPS测试的分析人员和应用XPS的科技人员具有很好的实用价值．     

Mixed quantum-classical molecular dynamics analysis of the molecular-level mechanisms of vibrational frequency shifts

A detailed analysis of the origins of vibrational frequency shifts of diatomic molecules (I2 and ICl) in a rare gas (Xe) liquid is presented. Specifically, vibrationally adiabatic mixed quantum-classical molecular dynamics simulations are used to obtain the instantaneous frequency shifts and correlate the shifts to solvent configurations. With this approach, important mechanistic questions are addressed, including the following: How many solvent atoms determine the frequency shift? What solvent atom configurations lead to blue shifts, and which lead to red shifts? What is the effect of solute asymmetry? The mechanistic analysis can be generally applied and should be useful in understanding what information is provided by infrared and Raman spectra about the environment of the probed vibrational mode.     

Self‐Assembly Structures of 1H‐Indazoles in the Solution and Solid Phases: A Vibrational (IR,FIR, Raman,and VCD) Spectroscopy and Computational Study

1H‐indazoles are good candidates for studying the phenomena of molecular association and spontaneous resolution of chiral compounds. Thus, because the 1H‐indazoles can crystallize as dimers, trimers, or catemers, depending on their structure and the phase that they are in, the difficulty in the experimental analysis of the structure of the family of 1H‐indazoles becomes clear. This difficulty leads us to contemplate several questions: How can we determine the presence of different structures of a given molecular species if they change according to the phase? Could these different structures be present in the same phase simultaneously? How can they be determined? To shed light on these questions, we outline a very complete strategy by using various vibrational spectroscopic techniques that are sensitive (VCD) and insensitive (IR, FIR, and Raman) towards the chirality, together with quantum chemical calculations.     

X射线光电子能谱仪的开放使用与管理

X射线光电子能谱仪(XPS)是材料表面元素定性和半定量分析的重要手段之一,是表面分析科研工作的必备仪器.为提高测试效率,实施了大型仪器设备开放共享优化,总结了在推动XPS开放过程中管理的经验和体会.     

Consistency of a set of chemical reactions

It is a useful feature of many general chemical kinetics programs that the user's reaction scheme is tested as far as possible before a calculation is started. Attempts are made to answer the question: How far can a reaction scheme be tested for consistency, with respect to mass conservation, without knowing the molecular weights of the species involved? It is found that this problem can be transformed so that it is solvable by the standard methods used in linear programming.     

A theoretical study of the XP and NEXAFS spectra of alanine: gas phase molecule, crystal, and adsorbate at the ZnO(10 ̅10) surface

The adsorption of alanine on the mixed-terminated ZnO(10 ?10) surface is studied by means of quantum-chemical ab initio calculations. Using a finite cluster model and the adsorption geometry as obtained both by periodic CPMD and embedded cluster calculations, the C1s, N1s and O1s X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) and near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectra are calculated for single alanine molecules on ZnO(10 ?10). These spectra are compared with the spectra calculated for alanine in the gas phase and in its crystalline form and with experimental XPS and NEXAFS data for the isolated alanine molecule and for alanine adsorbed on ZnO(10 ?10) at multilayer and monolayer coverage. The excellent agreement between the experimental and calculated XP and NEXAFS spectra confirms the calculated adsorption geometry: A single alanine molecule is bound to ZnO(10 ?10) in a dissociated bidentate form with the two O atoms of the acid group bound to two Zn atoms of the surface and the proton transferred to one O atom of the surface. Other possible structures, such as adsorption of alanine in one of its neutral or zwitterionic forms in which the proton of the -COOH group remains at this group or is transferred to the amino group, can be excluded since they would give rise to quite different XP spectra. In the multilayer coverage regime, on the other hand, alanine is in its crystalline form as is also shown by the analysis of the XP spectra.     

Multispectral optical imaging combined in situ with XPS or ToFSIMS and principal component analysis

All X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF‐SIMS) instruments have optical cameras to image the specimen under analysis, and often to image the sample holder as it enters the system too. These cameras help the user find the appropriate points for analysis of specimens. However they seldom give as good images as stand‐alone bench optical microscopes, because of the limited geometry, source/analyser solid angle and ultra‐high‐vacuum (UHV) design compromises. This often means that the images displayed to the user necessarily have low contrast, low resolution and poor depth‐of‐field. To help identify the different regions of the samples present we have found it useful to perform multispectral imaging by illuminating the sample with narrow‐wavelength‐range light emitting diodes (LEDs). By taking an image under the illumination of these LEDs in turn, each at a successively longer wavelength, one can build up a set of registered images that contain more information than a simple Red–Green–Blue image under white‐light illumination. We show that this type of multispectral imaging is easy and inexpensive to fit to common XPS and ToF‐SIMS instruments, using LEDs that are widely available. In our system we typically use 14 LEDs including one emitting in the ultraviolet (so as to allow fluorescent imaging) and three in the near infra‐red. The design considerations of this system are discussed in detail, including the design of the drive and control electronics, and three practical examples are presented where this multispectral imaging was extremely useful. Copyright © 2016 The Authors Surface and Interface Analysis Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.     

The Nature of Aqueous Solutions: Insights into Multiple Facets of Chemistry and Biochemistry from Freezing‐Point Depressions

Contrary to current widely held beliefs, many concentrated aqueous solutions of electrolytes and nonelectrolytes behave ideally. For both, the same simple equation yields mole fractions of water that are equal to the theoretical activities of water. No empirical activity coefficients or ad hoc parameters are needed. Thermodynamic hydration numbers and the number of particles produced per mole of solute are found by searching freezing‐point depression measurements, as if asking the water, “How much available water solvent is left and how many solute particles are there?” The results answer questions currently under debate: Do solutes alter the nature of water outside their immediate surroundings? What is the number of ion pairs formed by various electrolytes and what affects extents of their formation? What are some factors that cause precipitation of proteins, latexes, and so forth from aqueous solutions upon addition of other solutes (Hofmeister series)? Which nonelectrolytes form aggregates in water and what are the implications? Why do different solutes affect viscosity differently? How do ion‐selective channels in cell membranes function at the molecular level?     

The effect of UV irradiation on the reduction of Au(III) ions adsorbed on manganese dioxide.

The effect of UV (ultraviolet) irradiation on the adsorption of Au(III) ions on manganese dioxide and their reduction to Au(0) (gold with 0 valence state) was investigated using XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) and 197Au M?ssbauer spectroscopy. The UV irradiation accelerated the adsorption and the reduction. From the fact that the proportion of Au(0) estimated from Au 4f XPS spectra for surface analysis was significantly smaller than that from 197Au M?ssbauer spectra for bulk analysis, we deduced that Au(0) was interpenetrated to the inside of manganese dioxide (into deeper places than about 30 A) where XPS is impossible to detect. The content of surface hydroxyl groups on manganese dioxide also increased due to the UV irradiation. The relationship between the charge in the content of hydroxyl groups and the interpenetration of Au(0) is discussed.     

Nano Pt–TiO2 for an efficient one-pot photocatalytic synthesis of quinaldines from anilines and ethanol

Nanosized platinum particles loaded on the TiO₂ nanoparticles were prepared to assess its photocatalytic activity in simple one-pot synthesis of quinaldines from anilines in ethanol using UV light. The catalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), Brunauer?CEmmer?CTeller surface area, atomic force microscope and diffuse reflectance spectra. XRD patterns revealed that the crystal structure of Pt?CTiO₂ resembled anatase phase of TiO₂. The UV?CVis spectra indicated an increase in absorption of visible light when compared to TiO₂. XPS analysis reveals that platinum particles are present mainly in metallic form. Furthermore, TEM analysis showed non-spherical-shaped Pt?CTiO₂ nanoparticles of the diameter 10?C30?nm. Upon irradiation in the presence of Pt?CTiO₂, aniline and oxidation products derived from ethanol undergo condensation?Ccyclization to afford quinaldines. Higher efficiency of Pt?CTiO₂ than Au?CTiO₂ in the conversion of aniline to quinaldines is due to the higher work function of Pt.     

XPS for non-destructive depth profiling and 3D imaging of surface nanostructures

Depth profiling of nanostructures is of high importance both technologically and fundamentally. Therefore, many different methods have been developed for determination of the depth distribution of atoms, for example ion beam (e.g. O₂⁺, Ar⁺) sputtering, low-damage C₆₀ cluster ion sputtering for depth profiling of organic materials, water droplet cluster ion beam depth profiling, ion-probing techniques (Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS), secondary-ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) and glow-discharge optical emission spectroscopy (GDOES)), X-ray microanalysis using the electron probe variation technique combined with Monte Carlo calculations, angle-resolved XPS (ARXPS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) peak-shape analysis. Each of the depth profiling techniques has its own advantages and disadvantages. However, in many cases, non-destructive techniques are preferred; these include ARXPS and XPS peak-shape analysis. The former together with parallel factor analysis is suitable for giving an overall understanding of chemistry and morphology with depth. It works very well for flat surfaces but it fails for rough or nanostructured surfaces because of the shadowing effect. In the latter method shadowing effects can be avoided because only a single spectrum is used in the analysis and this may be taken at near normal emission angle. It is a rather robust means of determining atom depth distributions on the nanoscale both for large-area XPS analysis and for imaging. We critically discuss some of the techniques mentioned above and show that both ARXPS imaging and, particularly, XPS peak-shape analysis for 3D imaging of nanostructures are very promising techniques and open a gateway for visualizing nanostructures.     

Nonionic surfactants and the wool fibre surface

Nonionic surfactants are found in many wool processing operations. This study shows that X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) are useful tools in the investigation of the interaction of nonionic surfactants and the wool fibre surface. Results confirm that nonionic surfactants such as TN450 and Teric N4 will adsorb onto the fibre surface with the bound lipid intact. Even after extensive rinsing, surfactant molecules are present suggesting that these molecules bind strongly to the fibre surface. In addition, the nature of the fibre surface is shown to influence the adsorption of nonionic surfactant. The removal of the bound lipid from the fibre surface facilitates the adsorption process and the subsequent surfactant treatment enhances the fibre’s wettability. These results have important practical implications. Also it is shown that the surfactant is not removed by extensive rinsing.     

One-pot synthesis of highly monodispersed ferrite nanocrystals: surface characterization and magnetic properties

In the present study, a facile one-pot synthetic route, utilizing a strong polar organic solvent, N-methyl 2-pyrrolidone (NMP), is demonstrated to obtain highly monodispersed ferrite nanocrystals. The equimolar mixture of oleic acid, C(17)H(33)COOH (R-COOH), and oleylamine, C(18)H(35)NH(2) (R'-NH(2)), was used to coat the magnetic nanocrystals. Structural and magnetic properties of the ferrite nanocrystals were studied by a multitechnique approach including X-ray diffraction (XRD), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), and M?ssbauer spectroscopy. FTIR spectral analysis indicates oleylamine helps in deprotonation of oleic acid, resulting in the formation of an acid-base complex, R-COOˉ:NH(3)(+)-R', which acts as binary capping agent. Structural and coordination differences of iron were studied by XPS and M?ssbauer spectral analysis. XPS analysis was carried out to examine the oxidation state of iron ions in iron oxide nanocrystals. The presence of a magnetically dead layer (～0.38 and ～0.67 nm) and a nonmagnetic organic coating (～2.3 and ～1.7 nm) may substantially reduce the saturation magnetization values for CoFe(2)O(4) and Fe(3)O(4) nanocrystals, respectively. The energy barrier distribution function of magnetic anisotropy was derived from the temperature dependent decay of magnetization. A very narrow energy barrier distribution elucidates that the ferrite nanocrystals obtained in this study are highly monodispersed.     

The chemical composition and bonding structure of amorphous hydrogenated carbon nitride film on aluminum surface deposited by electrodeposition

Amorphous hydrogenated carbon nitride films with excellent adhesion to the substrates were deposited on the surfaces of aluminum plates by electrodeposition with acetonitrile as carbon source. The as‐obtained films were detailed characterized by Raman, XPS and FTIR. The results show that the as‐obtained films are mainly made up of sp2 C, sp3 C, C? N, C?N bonds and a spot of sp3? CH₂, sp3? CH₃, sp3? CH and sp2? CH bonds. The atomic ratio of N/C is evaluated to be about 2.98 at.% by XPS. Raman analysis indicated that I_D/I_G ratios decreased from 0.827 to 0.675 when the deposition time increased from 10 to 20 h. At the end, on the basis of the detailed analysis, results of Raman, FTIR and XPS, the possible deposition mechanism was discussed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluation of uncertainties in X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy intensities associated with different methods and procedures for background subtraction. I. Spectra for monochromatic Al X‐ray

We report uncertainties in X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) intensities arising from commonly used methods and procedures for subtraction of the spectral background. These uncertainties were determined from a comparison of XPS intensities reported by volunteer analysts from 28 institutions and the corresponding intensities expected for a set of simulated XPS spectra. We analyzed peak intensities from 32 sets of data for a group of 12 spectra that had been simulated for a monochromated Al Kα source. Each reported intensity was compared with an expected intensity for the particular integration limits chosen by each analyst and known from the simulation design. We present ratios of the reported intensities to the expected intensities for the background‐subtraction methods chosen by the analysts. These ratios were close to unity in most cases, as expected, but deviations were found in the results from some analysts, particularly if the main peak was asymmetrical or if shakeup was present. We showed that better results for the Shirley, Tougaard, and linear backgrounds were obtained when analysts determined peak intensities over certain energy ranges or integration limits. We then were able to recommend integration limits that should be a useful guide in the determination of peak intensities for other XPS spectra. The use of relatively narrow integration limits with the Shirley and linear backgrounds, however, will lead to measures of peak intensities that are less than the total intensities. Although these measures may be satisfactory for some quantitative analyses, errors in quantitative XPS analyses can occur if there are changes in XPS lineshapes or shakeup fractions with change of chemical state. The use of curve‐fitting equations to fit an entire spectrum will generally exclude the shakeup contribution to the intensity of the main peak, and no account will be taken of any variation in the shakeup fraction with change of chemical state. Published in 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Certain commercial products are identified to specify the formats in which the test spectra were distributed and the software with which the test spectra were analyzed by participants. This identification does not imply that the products are endorsed or recommended by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, or that they are necessarily the most suitable for the purposes described.     

聚ε-己内酯/聚氯乙烯球晶表面的XPS研究

聚合物薄膜在微电子领域中的应用日益增加.聚ε-己内酯/聚氯乙烯（PCL/PVC）是研究得最广泛的聚合物共混薄膜之一.PCL与PVC以一定比例混合时,可以形成环带球晶；同时,体系分为结晶PCL相及PCL/PVC非晶混溶相.用XPS和成象XPS分析技术,对PCL/PVC膜的表面化学组成和元素分布情况进行了研究.观察到PCL在薄膜表面富集.此外,成象XPS表明,PVC在球晶边界处富集,且球晶边界宽度约15 μm.     

Plant polyphenols: chemical properties, biological activities, and synthesis

Eating five servings of fruits and vegetables per day! This is what is highly recommended and heavily advertised nowadays to the general public to stay fit and healthy! Drinking green tea on a regular basis, eating chocolate from time to time, as well as savoring a couple of glasses of red wine per day have been claimed to increase life expectancy even further! Why? The answer is in fact still under scientific scrutiny, but a particular class of compounds naturally occurring in fruits and vegetables is considered to be crucial for the expression of such human health benefits: the polyphenols! What are these plant products really? What are their physicochemical properties? How do they express their biological activity? Are they really valuable for disease prevention? Can they be used to develop new pharmaceutical drugs? What recent progress has been made toward their preparation by organic synthesis? This Review gives answers from a chemical perspective, summarizes the state of the art, and highlights the most significant advances in the field of polyphenol research.