X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS)

​X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) is one of the most widely used surface analysis techniques. It can be applied to a broad range of materials and provides valuable quantitative and chemical state information from the surface of the material being studied.

Understanding interactions between the material and its environment allows us to modify the surface to alter or improve its performance.  This can influence factors such as corrosion rates, catalytic activity, adhesive properties, wettability, contact potential and failure mechanisms.

At Diamond, our dedicated XPS beamlines provide a range of different capabilities to meet your research needs.  Users can conduct in situ investigations at ambient pressures so you can monitor changes as they happen in a controlled environment. Our unique set-up means you can easily access complementary techniques for in-depth investigations as well as utilise well-equipped off-line labs to conduct sample preparation and surface characterisation. 

Our expert scientists will support you throughout your experiment to ensure you get the most out of your time at Diamond.

• Enables structural determination of surfaces, interfaces, and surface composition
• Enables you to study the energy of photo-electrons within an atom (as opposed to XAS which focuses on neighbouring atoms)
• Provides qualitative and quantitative information on the electronic properties and chemical speciation of an element

​​Materials

• Tracing light elements present in the sample such as C, N, O, S
• Studying the elemental composition of material contamination
• Probing interactions of the materials with adsorbents or lubricants
• Investigating the electronic properties and chemical species of impurities present in the sample
• Exploring segregation and the influence of the substrate on alloying behaviour and electronic structure

Nanomaterials

• Probing the structure-function relationship of nanostructures applied as sensors, high density visual displays, memory storage devices under environmental control (e.g. temperature, magnetic field).

Catalysts

• Probing the elemental composition of individual bimetallic/component clusters
• Studies of catalyst structure and their interactions with the chemical reagents under various environmental conditions e.g. three-way catalysts and fuel cells

Environmental

• Studies of the nature and distribution of light elements in soils, rocks and sediments
• Monitoring the interaction of materials with the mineral surface
• Studies of biofilms and their ability to modify surface chemical environments

Pharmaceuticals

• Investigations of interfaces between organic and inorganic materials
• Comprehensive descriptions of surface structure, in particular the orientation and deformation of adsorbed molecules

Energy

• Studies on electronic properties of transition metals used in solar cell applications
• Probing the electronic properties of Li-based batteries
• Characterisation of nuclear waste materials
• Investigations of doping interactions in electrolyte materials for solid oxide fuel cell applications