| AVS 63rd International Symposium & Exhibition | |
| Applied Surface Science | Monday Sessions |
| Session AS-MoM |
| Session: | Quantitative Surface Analysis: New Ways to Perform Old Tricks |
| Presenter: | Filippo Mangolini, University of Leeds, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland |
| Authors: | F. Mangolini, University of Leeds, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland J.B. McClimon, University of Pennsylvania R.W. Carpick, University of Pennsylvania |
| Correspondent: | Click to Email |
We present a method to determine the carbon hybridization state of carbon-based material using near edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy. Carbon-based materials are of interest due to their exceptional physical and mechanical properties. Characterizing their structure is challenging, but of paramount importance for a wide range of applications.
Of the analytical methods used to characterize the near-surface region of carbon-based materials, carbon 1s NEXAFS spectroscopy is one of the most powerful. However, a critical assessment of the methodology for quantifying the local carbon bonding configuration using NEXAFS data, which is based on the analysis of the sample of interest and of a highly ordered pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) reference sample, is lacking.
In this study [1], the methodology is critically reviewed. Inconsistencies applying this method are found in the literature. A derivation for the correct experimental conditions to be used for acquiring HOPG reference spectra is presented along with the potential sources of uncertainty. Using this, we present a specific method for determining the distribution of carbon hybridization state in a carbon-based material using carbon 1s NEXAFS spectroscopy. As an example, a hydrogenated amorphous carbon film was analyzed. NEXAFS results were compared with results from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Good agreement was seen, validating our method. This work can assist surface scientists in accurately characterizing the bonding state in carbon-based materials.
1. F. Mangolini, J.B. McClimon, R.W. Carpick, Anal. Chem., 88 (5), 2817, 2016.