A study of the core level electrons in iron and its three oxides by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
Year: 1983
Type: article
Abstract: The core level electrons in iron and its three oxides FeO, Fe 3 O 4 and alpha -Fe 2 O 3 have been studied by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The main features of the spectra have been identified and electron binding energies have been measured. The Fe 2p peaks of the oxide spectra are broadened (FWHM approximately 4.5 eV) due to unresolved multiplet splitting, and shake-up satellites can be observed for both Fe II and Fe III species. For all the samples studied the O 1s spectra consist of two overlapping peaks, one due to the oxide and a higher binding energy peak due to an adsorbed species. The higher binding energy peak was frequently dominant indicating a high degree of absorption on the oxide surfaces. The effect of argon ion etching on the surfaces has also been investigated and the results indicate that the analysis of surfaces by means of ion etching in conjunction with XPS can give misleading results.
Authors: P Mills, J L Sullivan
Institution: Aston University
Language: English
Subfield: Surfaces, Coatings and Films
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W1966832976