Elemental and chemical imaging analyses showed that sea salt particles react with water-soluble organic acids in the atmosphere through a unique mechanism which had been overlooked in atmospheric chemistry. The reactions release volatile hydrogen chloride into the atmosphere and leave behind sea salt particles drained of chloride.
Read more »
ALS Work Using XANES
X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy is form of x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) that reveals the structures of molecules bonded to surfaces. It focuses on prominent features in the "near-edge" region of a spectrum (about 30 eV above the K-shell absorption edge). This "fine structure" can be correlated with specific molecular bond types, lengths, and orientations. XANES, also known as near-edge x-ray absorption fine-structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy, is often performed as part of a STXM experiment.
Two Electron Holes in Hematite Facilitate Water Splitting
Hematite is a promising electrode material for solar-powered water splitting—an important reqirement for producing hydrogen fuel with zero emissions. At Beamline 7.0.1, researchers have gained a better understanding of hematite’s electronic structure through soft x-ray spectroscopy performed in situ and “operando.” Read more »
Crosslink Density of Superabsorbent Polymers
Researchers from The Dow Chemical Company teamed with academic colleagues to conduct x-ray spectromicroscopy studies of superabsorbent polymers (SAPs), materials with a wide range of applications, including disposable baby diapers. Dow has been able to use the results to help develop the process technology for a new SAP-manufacturing plant. Read more »