Quick-scanning X-ray absorption fine structure beamline at SSRF

The layout and characteristics of the hard X-ray spectroscopy beamline(BL11B)at the Shanghai synchrotron radiation facility are described herein.BL11B is a bending-magnet beamline dedicated to conventional and millisecond-scale quick-scanning X-ray absorption fine structures.It is equipped with a cylindrical collimating mirror,a double-crystal monochromator comprising Si(111)and Si(311),a channel-cut quick-scanning Si(111)monochromator,a toroidal focusing mirror,and a high harmonics rejection mirror.It can provide 5-30 keV of X-rays with a photon flux of~5×10^(11)photons/s and an energy resolution of~1.31×10^(-4)at 10 keV.The performance of the beamline can satisfy the demands of users in the fields of catalysis,materials,and environmental science.This paper presents an overview of the beamline design and a detailed description of its performance and capabilities.

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.

INVESTIGATION OF BONDING IN NANO-SiO_(2) BY Si L_(2,3) X-RAY ABSORPTION NEAR-EDGE STRUCTURE SPECTROSCOPY

The Si L2,3 X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) can be used to probe thelocal structure around Si and derive electronic information of the unoccupied s- andd-like partial density of states in nano-size SiO2. We present Si L2,3-edge for threedifferent size silicates acquired by total electron yield (TEY) at the photoemission sta-tion of Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility (BSRF). The Si L2,3-edge spectra areinterpreted based on ab initio full multiple-scattering (MS) calculation. The Si L2.3-edge of nano-size materials has XANES similar to that of a-quartz. The similaritiesbetween the Si L2.3-edge shapes attest to a common molecular-orbital picture of theirSi-O bonding and the same coordination state. However, a considerable broadeningof Si L2,3-edge XANES spectra as decrease of particle size is also an indicative ofpolyhedral distortions.

X-ray absorption near-edge structure study on the configuration of Cu2＋/histidine complexes at different pH values

The local configurations around metal ions in metalloproteins are of great significance for understanding their biolog- ical functions. Cu2＋/histidine （His） is a typical complex existing in many metalloproteins and plays an important role in lots of physiological functions. The three-dimensional （3D） structural configurations of Cu2＋/His complexes at different pH values （2.5, 6.5, and 8.5） are quantitatively determined by x-ray absorption near-edge structure （XANES）. Generally Cu2＋/His complex keeps an octahedral configuration consisting of oxygen atoms from water molecules and oxygen or nitrogen atoms from histidine molecules coordinated around Cu2＋. It is proved in this work that the oxygen atoms from water molecules, when increasing the pH value from acid to basic value, are gradually substituted by the Ocarboxy1, Nam, and Nim from hisitidine molecules. Furthermore, the symmetries of Cu2＋/His complexes at pH 6.5 and pH 8.5 are found to be lower than at pH 2.5.

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.

Interpretation of the pre-edge X-ray absorption fine structures in MnO

The weak pre-edge features in the Mn K-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectrumof manganese monoxide (MnO) were investigated by comparing experimental data with dipolar and quadrupolarcross-section calculations in the framework of multiple-scattering theory. We assign the first pre-edge feature to a di-rect quadrupolar transition from Is core state to 3d molecular orbitals of the central atom, e.g., the lowest in energy,due to the more effective attraction of the core hole. The second peak in this region arises unambiguously from thehybridization between p-orbitals of the central atom with higher-shell metal octahedral orbitals.

Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) of FAPbI_(3) for understanding local structure-stability relation in perovskite solar cells

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) employing formamidinium lead iodide (FAPbI_(3)) have shown high efficiency.However,operational stability has been issued due to phase instability of α phase FAPbI_(3) at ambient temperature.Excess precursors in the perovskite precursor solution has been proposed to improve not only power conversion efficiency (PCE) but also device stability.Nevertheless,there is a controversial issue on the beneficial effect on PCE and/or stability between excess FAI and excess PbI_(2).We report here extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) of FAPbI_(3) to study local structural change and explain the effect of excess precursors on photovoltaic performance and stability.Perovskite films prepared from the precursor solution with excess PbI_(2)shows better stability than those from the one with excess FAI,despite similar PCE.A rapid phase transition from α phase to non-perovskite δ phase is observed from the perovskite film formed by excess FAI.Furthermore,the (Pb-I) bond distance evaluated by the Pb L_(III)-edge EXAFS study is increased by excess FAI,which is responsible for the phase transition and poor device stability.This work can provide important insight into local structure-stability relation in the FAPbI_(3)-based PSCs.

Local Structure Analysis of Lead Zinc Niobate-Barium Titanate Ceramic by X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy and Density Functional Calculation

The local structure of an alternative Pb（Zn1/3Nb2/3）O3-based perovskite ceramic is investigated. The 0.07BaTiO33-0.93Pb（Zn1/3Nb2/3）O3 ceramic is synthesized using a combination of Zn3Nb2O8 B-site precursor and BaTiO33 perovskite phase stabilizer. Then, x-ray absorption spectroscopy and density functional theory are employed to calculate the local structure configuration and formation energy of the prepared samples. Ba2＋ is found to replace Pb2＋ in AA-site with Zn2＋ occupying BB-site in Pb（Zn1/3Nb2/3）O3, while in the neighboring structure, Ti4＋4＋ replaces Nb5＋5＋ in BB-site with Pb2＋2＋ occupying AA-site. With the substitution of BaTiO33 in Pb（Zn1/3Nb2/3）O3, the bond length between Zn2＋ and Pb2＋ is longer than that of the typical perovskite phase of Pb（Zn1/3Nb2/3）O3. This indicates the key role of BaTiO33 in decreasing the steric hindrance of Pb2＋ lone pair, and the mutual interactions between Pb2＋ lone pair and Zn2＋ and the formation energy is seen to decrease. This finding of the formation energy and local structure configuration relationship can further extend a fundamental understanding of the role of BaTiO33 in stabilizing the perovskite phase in PbZn13Nb23O3-based materials, which in turn will lead to an improved preparation technique for desired electrical properties.

STRUCTURAL DETERMINATION OF TITANIUM-OXIDE NANOPARTICLES BY X-RAY ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY

As a potential application of titanium-oxide nanoparticles, it is extremely important to investigate a detailed picture of the surface and interior structural properties of nanocrystalline materials, such as rutile and anatase with diameters 7.0 and 4.5nm, respectively. X-ray absorption spectroscopy has been used to identify the local Ti environment and related electronic structure. We combine the experimental results at the Ti edge in both bulk and nano-crystals to determine the lattice distortion in terms of differently characteristic preedge features and the variation in the multiple-scattering region of X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectra. The relationship between the transition peaks and the surface-to volume ratio is also discussed.

Multiple scattering approach to X-ray absorption spectroscopy

In this paper we present the state of the art of the theoretical background needed for analyzing X-ray absorption spectra in the whole energy range. The multiple-scattering (MS) theory is presented in detail with some applications on real systems. We also describe recent progress in performing geometrical fitting of the XANES (X-ray absorption near-edge structure) energy region and beyond using a full multiple-scattering approach.

Structural control of magnetic nanoparticles for positive nuclear magnetic resonance imaging

In addition to the tens of millions of medical doses consumed annually around the world,a vast number of nuclear magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)contrast agents are being deployed in MRI research and development,offering precise diagnostic information,targeting capabilities,and analyte sensing.Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles(SPIONs)are notable among these agents,providing effective and versatile MRI applications while also being heavy-metal-free,bioconjugatable,and theranostic.We designed and implemented a novel two-pronged computational and experimental strategy to meet the demand for the efficient and rigorous development of SPION-based MRI agents.Our MATLAB-based modeling simulation and magnetic characterization revealed that extremely small maghemite SPIONs in the 1-3 nm range possess significantly reduced transversal relaxation rates(R_(2))and are therefore preferred for positive(T_(1)-weighted)MRI.Moreover,X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption fine structure analyses demonstrated that the diffraction pattern and radial distribution function of our SPIONs matched those of the targeted maghemite crystals.In addition,simulations of the X-ray near-edge structure spectra indicated that our synthesized SPIONs,even at 1 nm,maintained a spherical structure.Furthermore,in vitro and in vivo MRI investigations showed that our 1-nm SPIONs effectively highlighted whole-body blood vessels and major organs in mice and could be cleared through the kidney route to minimize potential post-imaging side effects.Overall,our innovative approach enabled a swift discovery of the desired SPION structure,followed by targeted synthesis,synchrotron radiation spectroscopic studies,and MRI evaluations.The efficient and rigorous development of our high-performance SPIONs can set the stage for a computational and experimental platform for the development of future MRI agents.

Theoretical characterization of the adsorption configuration of pyrrole on Si(100)surface by x-ray spectroscopy

The possible configurations of pyrrole absorbed on a Si(100)surface have been investigated by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS)and near-edge x-ray absorption fine structure(NEXAFS)spectra.The C-1s XPS and NEXAFS spectra of these adsorption configurations have been calculated by using the density functional theory(DFT)method and fullcore hole(FCH)approximation to investigate the relationship between the adsorption configurations and the spectra.The result shows that the XPS and NEXAFS spectra are structurally dependent on the configurations of pyrrole absorbed on the Si(100)surface.Compared with the XPS,the NEXAFS spectra are relatively sensitive to the adsorption configurations and can accurately identify them.The NEXAFS decomposition spectra produced by non-equivalent carbon atoms have also been calculated and show that the spectral features vary with the diverse types of carbon atoms and their structural environments.

XAFS Study of Coordination Structure of Cu（L-His）2 in Solution

Multiple coordination modes are present copper coordination environment varies in the CuII-histidine complex in solution and the with pH. In this work, we have investigated the coordination geometry of Cu（His）2 complex using X-ray absorption fine structure （XAFS） analysis. Copper K-edge XAFS spectra were acquired on aqueous Cu2＋ samples with his- tidine at different pH values. The coordination environments were further confirmed by chemically modified histidine. Results show that the caboxylate groups coordinate at acidic condition, while amino and imidazole nitrogens get coordinated at higher pH. For the co- ordination geometry of Cu（His）2 in solution at physiological pH, the sixfold coordination is preferentially formed, while the fivefold coordination can co-exist in equilibrium.

Quasiparticle Band Structures of Defects in Anatase TiO2 Bulk

Quasiparticle band structures of the defective anatase TiO2 bulk with O vacancy, Ti interstitial and H interstitial are investigated by the GW method within many-body Green＇s function theory. The computed direct band gap of the perfect anatase bulk is 4.3 eV, far larger than the experimental optical absorption edge （3.2 eV）. We found that this can be ascribed to the inherent defects in anatase which drag the conduction band （CB） edge down. The occupied band-gap states induced by these defects locate close to the CB edge, exclud- ing the possible contribution of these bulk defects to the deep band-gap state below CB as observed in experiments.

Structure and chemical valence study of Sr_(n+1)Ru_nO_(3n+1)(n= 1, 2, ∞) series

Effect of structure parameter n and its coupling with the connection mode among RuO6 octahedra of Srn＋1RUnO3n＋1 （n = 1, 2, ∞） are investigated. The gradually enhanced rotation and tilting effect with increasing n are observed in Srn＋1RUnO3n＋1. Besides, the chemical valence of Ru is not changed, while the one of Sr gradually varies with increasing n, which highlights the great contribution of connection mode to the chemical environment. Our results show a strong n dependence on the connection mode between octahedra in Srn＋1RUnO3n＋1 （n = 1, 2, ∞）.

SHORT-RANGE ORDER STRUCTURES OF Fe-Ge AMORPHOUS THIN FILMS

The short-range order structures of Fe_xGe_(1-x) amorphous thin films,(x=8.7,19.1 and 28.5%)have been studied by means of X-ray absorption spectrum.The nearest neighbors around a Ge or an Fe atom are constituted by two coordinate sub-shells with a very short dis- tance,In two films with lower Fe content,structural parameters of the nearest neighbors around a Ge atom are very near to that in amorphous germanium,and the positions of Fe at- oms are randomly substitutional.But when x=28.5%,some great changes occur on the short-range order structure of a-Fe_xGe_(1-x) film:its structure deviates from continuous ran- dora network and tends toward dense random packing of atoms.Meanwhile,there is a strong- er interaction between near neighboring Fe-Ge atoms in a-Fe_xGe_(1-x) films.

MULTIPLE-SCATTERING STUDIES OF ADSORPTION STRUCTURE OF C_2D_2/Si(111)7×7

The multiple scattering cluster (MSC) method has been employed to perform a theoretical analysis on carbon is near edge X-ray absorption fine structure of the deuteron acetylene (C2 D2) adsorbed on Si(111)7× 7 at room temperature. From the MSC study. it is confirmed that the (22D2 molecule is bonded to a pair of adjacent Si adatom and Si restatom with C-Si bond length about 0.18nm. The carbon-deuteron bond is bent away front the surface and the CCD bond angle is about 120°. The molecule plane tilt slightly away from the surface normal. Compared with C2D2 in gas phase, the C-C bond and C-D bond are elongated by about 0.03nm and 0.02nm respectively when acetylene was adsorbed on the subtrate. Keyowrds: adsorption of deuteron acetylene on Si(111)7×7. near edge X- ray absorption fine structure. multiple scattering cluster method

L3-Edge Jump and Shift on White-Line of Pd Interlayer for Trilaminar Neutron Production Target under H2^＋ Irradiation

Interlayer Pd for the Li/Pd/Cu neutron target for BNCT （boron neutron capture therapy） was characterized after 0.1-5 keV H2^＋ irradiation by XAFS （X-ray absorption fine structure） technique, and following conclusions were derived： （1） from the XAFS observation of white line of Pd, remarkable Pd L3 edge jump was found in 1.1-3 times higher than before irradiation in low irradiation fluence; （2） this fact indicates increase of hole density in Pd 4d-band, whereas, no change was observed for XASF spectra of Ag sample under the same irradiation conditions; （3） remarkable Pd L3 edge shift of 0.12-0.66 eV was also found with increase of H2＋ irradiation energy in low fluence, and drastically decreased after peak in high irradiation energy and fluence; （4） implanted protons deposited in Pd as negative under the balance of electron population enhanced by proton irradiation and charge transfer.

Oxidation of antimony (Ⅲ) in soil by manganese (Ⅳ) oxide using X-ray absorption fine structure

The oxidation of antimony （Ⅲ） in soils was studied using X-ray absorption fine structure （XAFS） spectra. An andosol soft sample and artificial soil samples （SiO2 blended with iron （Ⅲ） hydroxide and manganese （Ⅳ） oxide） were used herein. After adding antimony （Ⅲ） oxide to all soil samples, the oxidation process was observed by recording the XAFS spectra of Sb K-edge, Fe Kedge, and Mn K-edge. The results indicated that manganese （Ⅳ） oxide played an important role in the oxidation of Sb（Ⅲ）; however iron （Ⅲ） hydroxide was not directly related to the reaction. During a 2-hr continuous Sb K-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure （XANES） measurement with an interval of I rain of one of the artificial soil samples （SiO2 ＋ MnO2 ＋ Sb2O3）, a pseudo-first-order reaction was determined with an average estimated rate of 0.52 ±0.04 hr-1. Compared to the lower oxidation rate of andosol, it is suggested that because of the low concentration of Mn（Ⅳ） in natural soils, the oxidation process of Sb（Ⅲ） might be relatively slow and require more time to convert Sb（Ⅲ） to Sb（V）.

Relating atomic local structures and Curie temperature of NdFeB permanent magnets:an X-ray absorption spectroscopic study

Relationship between atomic local structures and Curie temperature of NdFeB permanent magnets was investigated semi-quantitatively using synchrotron radiation technique. Fe K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy(XAS) was employed to study the local structure of Fe atoms for samples before and after doping Dy, Tb or Gd. It is found that the bond lengths and coordination numbers are changed. Thus, the exchange interaction between Fe atoms increases with Dy, Tb or Gd doping, resulting in the improvement of Curie temperature of NdFeB permanent magnets. The doping effect is proven by experimental measurement of the magnetic properties. Microstructural characterization using scanning electron microscopy(SEM) was also used to further analyze the effect of different rare earth elements doping on Curie temperature of NdFeB permanent magnets.