XPS Analysis of Nanostructured Materials and Biological Surfaces

Journal Article · Sat May 01 04:00:00 EDT 2010 · Journal of Electron Spectroscopy and Related Phenomena, 178-179:415-432

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.elspec.2009.09.003· OSTI ID:982289

Baer, Donald R; Engelhard, Mark H

This paper examines the types of information that XPS can provide about a variety of nano-structured materials. Although it is sometimes not considered a “nano-scale analysis method” XPS can provide a great deal of information about elemental distributions, layer or coating structure and thicknesses, surface functionality, and even particles sizes on the 1-20 nm scale for samples types that may not be readily analyzed by other methods. This information is important for both synthetic nanostructured or nanosized materials and a variety of natural materials with nanostructure. Although the links between nanostructure materials and biological systems may not at first be obvious, many biological molecules and some organisms are the sizes of nanoparticles. The nanostructure of cells and microbes plays a significant role in how they interact with their environment. The interaction of biomolecules with nanoparticles is important for medical and toxicity studies. The interaction of biomolecules is important for sensor function and many nanomaterials are now the active elements in sensors. This paper first discusses how nanostructures influences XPS data as part of understanding how simple models of sample structure and data analysis can be used to extract information about the physical and chemical structure of the materials being analyzed. Equally important, aspects of sample and analysis limitations and challenges associated with understanding nanostructured materials are indicated. Examples of the application of XPS to nanostructured and biological systems and materials are provided.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (US), Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 982289
• Report Number(s): PNNL-SA-65807; 35204; 2573a; 2573; 2573b; 8221b; KP1704020
• Journal Information: Journal of Electron Spectroscopy and Related Phenomena, 178-179:415-432, Journal Name: Journal of Electron Spectroscopy and Related Phenomena, 178-179:415-432 Vol. 178-179; ISSN JESRAW; ISSN 0368-2048
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
COATINGS
DATA ANALYSIS
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENT
Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory
FUNCTIONS
INFORMATION
INTERACTIONS
LAYERS
MATERIALS
MOLECULES
NANOSTRUCTURES
PARTICLES
SURFACES
TOXICITY
X-RAY PHOTOELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY
X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy
Nanostructures
biological surfaces