Understanding fundamentals of electrochemical reactions with tender X-rays:A new lab-based operando X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy method for probing liquid/solid and gas/solid interfaces across a variety of electrochemical systems

Electrocatalysis is key to improving energy efficiency,reducing carbon emissions,and providing a sustainable way of meeting global energy needs.Therefore,elucidating electrochemical reaction mechanisms at the electrolyte/electrode interfaces is essential for developing advanced renewable energy technologies.However,the direct probing of real-time interfacial changes,i.e.,the surface intermediates,chemical environment,and electronic structure,under operating conditions is challenging and necessitates the use of in situ methods.Herein,we present a new lab-based instrument commissioned to perform in situ chemical analysis at liquid/solid interfaces using ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(APXPS).This setup takes advantage of a chromium source of tender X-rays and is designed to study liquid/solid interfaces by the“dip and pull”method.Each of the main components was carefully described,and the results of performance tests are presented.Using a three-electrode setup,the system can probe the intermediate species and potential shifts across the liquid electrolyte/solid electrode interface.In addition,we demonstrate how this system allows the study of interfacial changes at gas/solid interfaces using a case study:a sodium–oxygen model battery.However,the use of APXPS in electrochemical studies is still in the early stages,so we summarize the current challenges and some developmental frontiers.Despite the challenges,we expect that joint efforts to improve instruments and the electrochemical setup will enable us to obtain a better understanding of the composition–reactivity relationship at electrochemical interfaces under realistic reaction conditions.

Unraveling the evolution of Cathode-Solid electrolyte interface using operando X-ray Photoelectron spectroscopy

Understanding the evolution of the solid electrolyte-electrode interface is currently one of the most challenging obstacles in the development of solid-state batteries(SSBs).Here,we develop an X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy(XPS)that allows for operando measurement during cycling.Based on theoretical analysis and the modulated electrode and detector co-grounding mode,the displacement of binding energy can be correlated with the surface electrostatic potential of the material,revealing the charge distribution and composition evolution of the space charge layer between the cathode and the electrolyte.In the investigation of typical LiCoO_(2)(LCO)/Li6PS5Cl(LPSC)/Li-In batteries,we observed the static potential difference and oxidative decomposition between LPSC and LCO,and the effectiveness of the LiNbO3 coating in reducing potential difference and inhibiting the diffusion of Co and oxidation of S species.Furthermore,our study also revealed that the potential drop between LiNi0⋅8Co0⋅1Mn0⋅1O_(2) and LPSC is smaller than that of LCO,whilst that between Li3InCl6 and LCO remains near zero.The proposed operando XPS method offers a novel approach for real-time monitoring of interface potential and species formation,providing rational guidance for the interface engineering in SSBs.

Energy spectrum computed tomography multi-parameter imaging in preoperative assessment of vascular and neuroinvasive status in gastric cancer

BACKGROUND Vascular and nerve infiltration are important indicators for the progression and prognosis of gastric cancer(GC),but traditional imaging methods have some limitations in preoperative evaluation.In recent years,energy spectrum computed tomography(CT)multiparameter imaging technology has been gradually applied in clinical practice because of its advantages in tissue contrast and lesion detail display.AIM To explore and analyze the value of multiparameter energy spectrum CT imaging in the preoperative assessment of vascular invasion(LVI)and nerve invasion(PNI)in GC patients.METHODS Data from 62 patients with GC confirmed by pathology and accompanied by energy spectrum CT scanning at our hospital between September 2022 and September 2023,including 46 males and 16 females aged 36-71(57.5±9.1)years,were retrospectively collected.The patients were divided into a positive group(42 patients)and a negative group(20 patients)according to the presence of LVI/PNI.The CT values(CT40 keV,CT70 keV),iodine concentration(IC),and normalized IC(NIC)of lesions in the upper energy spectrum CT images of the arterial phase,venous phase,and delayed phase 40 and 70 keV were measured,and the slopes of the energy spectrum curves[K(40-70)]from 40 to 70 keV were calculated.Arterial Core Tip:To investigate the application value of multiparameter energy spectrum computed tomography(CT)imaging in the preoperative assessment of vascular and nerve infiltration in patients with gastric cancer(GC).The imaging data of GC patients were retrospectively analyzed to evaluate the accuracy and sensitivity of CT for identifying and quantifying vascular and nerve infiltration and for comparison with postoperative pathological results.The purpose of this study was to verify the clinical feasibility and potential advantages of multiparameter energy spectrum CT imaging in guiding preoperative diagnosis and treatment decision-making and to provide a new imaging basis for improving the diagnostic accuracy and prognosis of GC patients.

X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy Studies of Ti_(x)Al_(1-x)N Thin Films Prepared by RF Reactive Magnetron Sputtering

TixAl1-xN films have been prepared by RF reactive magnetron sputtering. X-ray diffraction results showed that TixAl1-xN thin films in this study were hexagonal wurtzite structure with the Ti content up to 0.18. X-ray photoelectron spectrocopy studies provided that the Nls core-electron spectrum of TixAl1-xN thin film brodend with increasing Ti content, and the difference of the chemical shifts for Ti2p3/2 line between TiN and TixAl1-xN th77pj in film was 0.7 eV.

X-ray absorption near the edge structure and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies on pyrite prepared by thermally sulfurizing iron films

This paper reports how pyrite films were prepared by thermal sulfurization of magnetron sputtered iron films and characterized by X-ray absorption near edge structure spectra and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy on a 4B9B beam line at the Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility. The band gap of the pyrite agrees well with the optical band gap obtained by a spectrophotometer. The octahedral symmetry of pyrite leads to the splitting of the d orbit into t2g and eg levels. The high spin and low spin states were analysed through the difference of electron exchange interaction and the orbital crystal field. Only when the crystal field splitting is higher than 1.5 eV, the two weak peaks above the white lines can appear, and this was approved by experiments in the present work.

Photoelectric characteristics of silicon P–N junction with nanopillar texture:Analysis of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Silicon nanopillars are fabricated by inductively coupled plasma （ICP） dry etching with the cesium chloride （CsCl） islands as masks originally from self-assembly. Wafers with nanopillar texture or planar surface are subjected to phosphorus （P） diffusion by liquid dopant source （POCl3） at 870 ℃ to form P-N junctions with a depth of 300 nm. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy （XPS） is used to measure the Si 2p core levels of P-N junction wafer with nanopillar texture and planar surface. With a visible light excitation, the P-N junction produces a new electric potential for photoelectric characteristic, which causes the Si 2p core level to have a energy shift compared with the spectrum without the visible light. The energy shift of the Si 2p core level is -0.27 eV for the planar P-N junction and -0.18 eV for the nanopillar one. The difference in Si 2p energy shift is due to more space lattice defects and chemical bond breaks for nanopillar compared with the planar one.

Chandra Observations of the Flat Spectrum Seyfert-2 Galaxies NGC 2110 and NGC 7582

Chandra observations of the Seyfert-2 galaxies NGC 2110 and NGC 7582 arepresented. With the superb spatial resolution of Chandra we found that in NGC 7582 the soft (≤2keV) and hard (2-10 keV) X-rays are emitted in different regions, consistent with the report by Xueet al. By comparing the present X-ray data with the previous infrared data, we determined that thesoft X-ray region is the site of starburst activities. We found no significant temporal variationsduring our observations. We confirm the previous finding that NGC 2110 and NGC 7582 areflat-spectrum sources. We argue that the flat spectra may result from a cold absorbing material suchas envisaged in the 'dual absorbed' model. Strong FeK_α emission feature is detected in 6～7keV.Its equivalent width is so large that it cannot be reproduced by using the Galactic column densityof ～ 10^(22) cm^(-2).

Design of Time-Resolved Shifted Dual Transmission Grating Spectrometer for the X-Ray Spectrum Diagnostics

A new time-resolved shifted dual transmission grating spectrometer （SDTGS） is designed and fabricated in this work. This SDTGS uses a new shifted dual transmission grating （SDTG） as its dispersive component, which has two sub transmission gratings with different line densities, of 2000 lines/mm and 5000 lines/mm. The axes of the two sub transmission gratings in SDTG are horizontally and vertically shifted a certain distance to measure a broad range of 0.1-5 keV time-resolved X-ray spectra. The SDTG has been calibrated with a soft X-ray beam of the synchrotron radiation facility and its diffraction efficiency is also measured. The designed SDTGS can take full use of the space on a record panel and improve the precision for measuring spatial and temporal spectrum simultaneously. It will be a promising application for accurate diagnosis of the soft X-ray spectrum in inertial confinement fusion.

Preparation of Organic Semiconductor PTCDA and Studies on Its Crystal Structure and the Absorption Spectrum

Organic semiconductoe 3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride (PTCDA) has been synthetized with 1,8-naphthalic anhydride using chemical method.X-ray diffraction spectrum shows that it is monoclinic.Visible absorption spectrum shows that its gap band is 2.2 eV with singlet exciton bandwidth of 0.9 eV.

Investigation of photoelectron action in cubic AgCl emulsion doped with formate ions

In recent years, the formate ion （HCO2^-） as a kind of hole-to-electron converter has attracted much attention of photographic researchers. The formate ions can trap photo-generated holes, eliminate or reduce the electron loss caused by electron-hole recombination in latent image formation process. Through the hole-to-electron conversion, it can also release an extra electron or electron carrier, improving photosensitivity. In this paper the microwave absorption and dielectric spectrum detection technique is used to detect the time evolution behaviour of free photoelectrons generated by 35ps laser pulses in cubic AgCl emulsions doped with formate ions. The influence of different doping conditions of formate ions on the photoelectron decay kinetics of AgC1 is analysed. It is found that when the HCO2^- content is 10^-3mol/mol Ag and the doping position is 90% the electron decay time and lifetime reach their maxima due to the efficient trap of holes by formate ions.

Use of photoelectron laser phase determination method for attosecond measurements with quantum-mechanical calculations

This paper calculates quantum-mechanically the photoelectron energy spectra excited by attosecond x-rays in the presence of a few-cycle laser. A photoelectron laser phase determination method is used for precise measurements of the pulse natural properties of x-ray intensity and the instantaneous frequency profiles. As a direct procedure without any previous pulse profile assumptions and time-resolved measurements as well as data fitting analysis, this method can be used to improve the time resolutions of attosecond timing and measurements with metrological precision. The measurement range is half of a laser optical cycle.

Multiple-plateau structure and scaling relation in photoelectron spectra of high-order above-threshold ionization

By developing a full quantum scattering theory of high-order above-threshold ionization,we study the energy spectra and the angular distributions of photoelectrons from atoms with intense laser fields shining on them.We find that real rescattering can occur many times,and even infinite times.The photoelectrons from the rescattering process form a broad plateau in the kinetic-energy spectrum.We further disclose a multiple-plateau structure formed by the high-energy photoelectrons,which absorb many photons during the rescattering process.Moreover,we find that both the angular distributions and the kinetic-energy spectra of photoelectrons obey the same scaling law as that for directly emitted photoelectrons.

Calculation of the photoelectron spectra under a scaling transform

By solving the time-dependent Schr6dinger equation, the dependence of photoelectron energy spectra on the binding energy of targets, wavelength and the intensity of laser pulse is exhibited and a scaling law of kinetic energy spectra of both the direct and the rescattered photoelectrons is concluded. The scaling law provides a convenient tool to determine the equivalent photoionization process of various atoms or molecules in various laser fields. The verification of the scaling law by independent methods provides incontestable support to the validity of the scaling law.

Energy band alignment at Cu2O/ZnO heterojunctions characterized by in situ x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

With the increasing interest in Cu2O-based devices for photovoltaic applications,the energy band alignment at the Cu2O/ZnO heterojunction has received more and more attention.In this work,a high-quality Cu2O/ZnO heterojunction is fabricated on a c-Al2 O3 substrate by laser-molecular beam epitaxy,and the energy band alignment is determined by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.The valence band of ZnO is found to be 1.97 eV below that of Cu2O.A type-II band alignment exists at the Cu2O/ZnO heterojunction with a resulting conduction band offset of 0.77 eV,which is especially favorable for enhancing the efficiency of Cu2O/ZnO solar cells.

Manipulation of Resonance-Enhanced Multiphoton-Ionization Photoelectron Spectroscopy by Two Time-Delayed Femtosecond Laser Pulses

We theoretically demonstrate that the(2+1)resonance-enhanced multiphoton-ionization(REMPI)photoelectron spectrum in a cesium(Cs)atom can be effectively manipulated by two time-delayed femtosecond laser pulses,involving its photoelectron spectral structure and photoelectron energy.We show that the photoelectron spectrum exhibits interference fringes and the fringe spacing is determined by the time delay of the two laser pulses,and the photoelectron energy is periodically modulated and the modulation period is determined by the two-photon transition frequency of the excited state.Finally,we utilize the power spectrum of the two time-delayed laser pulses and the two-photon transition probability of the excited state to respectively explain the modulations of the photoelectron spectrum and photoelectron energy.

Energy band alignment at ferroelectric/electrode interface determined by photoelectron spectroscopy

The most important interface-related quantities determined by band alignment are the barrier heights for charge trans- port, given by the Fermi level position at the interface. Taking Pb（Zr, Ti）O3 （PZT） as a typical ferroelectric material and applying X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy （XPS）, we briefly review the interface formation and barrier heights at the inter- faces between PZT and electrodes made of various metals or conductive oxides. Polarization dependence of the Schottky barrier height at a ferroelectric/electrode interface is also directly observed using XPS.

Study on NiO/Fe interface with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Different monolayers （ML） of Fe atoms were deposited on NiO （001） substrates or NiO underlayers using molecular beam epitaxy （MBE）, pulse laser deposition （PLD）, and magnetron sputtering （MS）. The magnetic properties and microstructure of the films were studied. The apparent magnetic dead layer （MDL） is found to exist at the NiO/Fe interfaces of the MBE sample （about 2 ML MDL）, the PLD sample （about 3 ML MDL）, and the MS sample （about 4 ML MDL）. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicates the presence of ionic Fe （Fe2＋ or Fe3＋） and metallic Ni at the NiO/Fe interfaces, which may be due to the chemical reactions between Fe and NiO layers. This also leads to the formation of MDL. The thickness of the MDL and the reaction products are related with the deposition energy of the atoms on the substrates. The interfacial reactions are effectively suppressed by inserting a thin Pt layer at the NiO/Fe interface.

Landscape of s-triazine molecule on Si(100) by a theoretical x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and x-ray absorption near-edge structure spectra study

The chemisorbed structure for an aromatic molecule on a silicon surface plays an important part in promoting the development of organic semiconductor material science. The carbon K-shell x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy（XPS） and the x-ray absorption near-edge structure（XANES） spectra of the interfacial structure of an s-triazine molecule adsorbed on Si（100） surface have been performed by the first principles, and the landscape of the s-triazine molecule on Si（100） surface has been described in detail. Both the XPS and XANES spectra have shown their dependence on different structures for the pristine s-triazine molecule and its several possible adsorbed configurations. By comparison with the XPS spectra, the XANES spectra display the strongest structural dependency of all of the studied systems and thus could be well applied to identify the chemisorbed s-triazine derivatives. The exploration of spectral components originated from non-equivalent carbons in disparate local environments has also been implemented for both the XPS and XANES spectra of s-triazine adsorbed configurations.

Ultrafast Decay Dynamics of N-Ethylpyrrole Excited to the S_(1)Electronic State:A Femtosecond Time-Resolved Photoelectron Imaging Study

N-ethylpyrrole is one of ethylsubstituted derivatives of pyrrole and its excited-state decay dynamics has never been explored.In this work,we investigate ultrafast decay dynamics of N-ethylpyrrole excited to the S_(1)electronic state using a femtosecond time-resolved photoelectron imaging method.Two pump wavelengths of 241.9 and 237.7 nm are employed.At 241.9 nm,three time constants,5.0±0.7 ps,66.4±15.6 ps and 1.3±0.1 ns,are derived.For 237.7 nm,two time constants of 2.1±0.1 ps and 13.1±1.2 ps are derived.We assign all these time constants to be associated with different vibrational states in the S_(1)state.The possible decay mechanisms of different S_(1)vibrational states are briefly discussed.

Ultrafast Dynamics of Water Molecules Excited to Electronic ■ States:A Time-Resolved Photoelectron Spectroscopy Study

The ultrafast dynamics of water molecules excited to the two F states is studied by combining two-photon excitation and time-resolved photoelectron imaging techniques. The lifetimes of the F1A1 and F1B1 states of H2O (D2O) were derived to be 1.0±0.3 (1.9±0.4) and 10±3 (30±10) ps, respectively. We propose that the F1A1 state mainly decays through the D state, due to the nonadiabatic coupling between them, while the F1B1 state decays through the F1A1 state via Coriolis interaction.