Synchronizing gas injections and time-resolved data acquisition for perturbation-enhanced APXPS experiments

Area of Science:

• Surface Science and Catalysis
• Materials Science
• Spectroscopy

Background:

• Ambient Pressure X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (APXPS) is crucial for studying material surfaces under realistic conditions.
• Investigating dynamic surface processes, such as heterogeneous catalysis and atomic layer deposition, requires time-resolved measurements synchronized with controlled gas environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and demonstrate a novel experimental approach, perturbation-enhanced APXPS, for synchronized gas perturbations and time-resolved spectroscopy.
• To unlock new possibilities for investigating material properties and surface-mediated chemical reactions.

Main Methods:

• Implementing synchronized gas feed perturbations with time-resolved APXPS data acquisition.
• Utilizing the SPECIES beamline at MAX IV Laboratory for experiments.
• Applying the technique to study N2 gas pulses on Au foil, O2 titration of TiO2, and atomic layer deposition of TiO2.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated the successful synchronization of gas pulses with APXPS data acquisition.
• Showcased the technique's capability in analyzing gas-surface interactions and dynamic processes.
• Provided insights into oxygen vacancy dynamics in TiO2 and the initial stages of TiO2 atomic layer deposition.

Conclusions:

• Perturbation-enhanced APXPS is a powerful technique for advancing surface science and catalysis research.
• The synchronized approach provides unprecedented detail for studying dynamic surface phenomena.
• This method opens new avenues for materials characterization and process optimization in various applications.