Phosphorus L(2,3)-edge XANES: overview of reference compounds

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Chemistry
• Geoscience

Background:

• Synchrotron-based X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy is vital for elemental speciation in complex matrices.
• Phosphorus (P) speciation analysis often relies on P K-edge XANES, which has limited spectral features for precise identification.
• Previous studies suggest P L(2,3)-edge XANES offers richer spectral information than the P K-edge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a comprehensive spectral library for P L(2,3)-edge XANES across various phosphorus compounds.
• To enable accurate fingerprinting and identification of diverse P forms in unknown samples.
• To investigate and mitigate radiation damage effects during spectral acquisition.

Main Methods:

• Acquisition of P L(2,3)-edge XANES spectra for a wide range of mineral P, organic P, and P-bearing minerals.
• Systematic characterization of spectral features for fingerprint identification.
• Evaluation of radiation damage effects on selected compounds and development of mitigation strategies.

Main Results:

• A library of experimentally consistent P L(2,3)-edge XANES spectra for numerous reference compounds was generated.
• Distinct spectral features were identified, facilitating the differentiation of various phosphorus species.
• The study documented the impact of radiation damage and proposed methods to minimize it.

Conclusions:

• The P L(2,3)-edge XANES spectral library provides a robust foundation for identifying individual phosphorus forms in complex samples.
• This resource supports advancements in diverse scientific fields requiring accurate phosphorus speciation.
• The findings enhance the utility of XANES spectroscopy for detailed chemical analysis of phosphorus.