UCL’s Chemistry department has used a multi-user EPSRC grant to purchase a new X-Ray Photoelectron Spectrometer (XPS). The XPS is available for use by all UCL researchers, and promises new opportunities for research in the Faculty for Mathematical and Physical Sciences and beyond.
The XPS studies the surfaces of materials, looking at the chemistry and physics of the top atomic levels in order to understand how the material interacts with the world. It uses a “light in, electron out” technique, whereby x-rays shine onto a sample, which then emits electrons from the top layers of atoms.
By measuring the kinetic energy of the electrons, researchers are able to find out about what the atoms are, their electron arrangement, how they are bonded and about their chemical interactions.
Similar equipment has previously been used by UCL Chemistry to study solar cell materials, by the UCL Mullard Space Science Laboratories (MSSL) to investigate how the surface of spaceships have been corroded, and by the Royal Free Hospital to examine 3D printed bone implants to assess their effectiveness in re-growing bone.
The new XPS has several new features including: Ultra-Violet Photoelectron Spectroscopy, which uses lower energy light and can give more detailed information; Ion Scattering Spectroscopy and Reflected Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy, which gives information on the composition and bonding of the surface; and heating and cooling in situ, samples can be cooled to -100˚C and heated to 400˚C in the analysis position.
The uses of this equipment are wide ranging and scientists from many disciplines are encouraged to consider how this could impact on their own research. Dr Robert Palgrave (UCL Chemistry) emphasised that even if researchers have not used XPS equipment before UCL Chemistry were happy to discuss how the XPS could add to their research.
The XPS is currently in the installation phase; the first sample data was taken on Tuesday. In a couple of weeks the equipment will be functional and the testing phase will be implemented.
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