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Experimental oxygen K-edge spectra of ThO2and CeO2are presented and interpreted based on density functional theory (DFT). The contribution of d and f orbitals to the O K-edge spectrum is identified as well-distinguished peaks, the presence of which evidences the strong hybridization of Th and Ce metal centers with O orbitals. The sensitivity of the O K-edge to both f- and d-states in the absence of a core–hole on the metal ion results in an insightful overview of the electronic structure involved in the chemical bond. In particular, the large bandwidth of the Th 5f band as compared to the Ce 4f band is observed as a set of wider and more substantial set of peaks in the O K-edge, confirming the stronger hybridization of the former with O orbitals. The peak ascribed to the 5f band of ThO2is found at higher energy than the 6d band, as predicted from DFT calculations on actinide dioxides. To highlight the sensitivity and the potential use of the O K-edge for the characterization of ThO2-based systems, the sensitivity of the spectrum to structural changes such as lattice expansion and size reduction are calculated and discussed.

A detailed examination of the electronic structures of methylammonium lead triiodide (MAPI) and methylammonium iodide (MAI) is performed with ab initiomolecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations based on density functional theory, and the theoretical results are compared to experimental probes. The occupied valence bands of a MAPI single crystal and MAI powder are probed with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and the conduction bands are probed from the perspective of nitrogen K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Combined, the theoretical simulations and the two experimental techniques allow for a dissection of the electronic structure unveiling the nature of chemical bonding in MAPI and MAI. Here, we show that the difference in band gap between MAPI and MAI is caused chiefly by interactions between iodine and lead but also weaker interactions with the MA+counterions. Spatial decomposition of the iodine p levels allows for analysis of Pb–I σ bonds and π interactions, which contribute to this effect with the involvement of the Pb 6p levels. Differences in hydrogen bonding between the two materials, seen in the AIMD simulations, are reflected in nitrogen valence orbital composition and in nitrogen K-edge X-ray absorption spectra.

The aim of this study is to synthesize PuO2nanoparticles (NPs) at low pH values and characterize the materials using laboratory and synchrotron-based methods. Properties of the PuO2NPs formed under acidic conditions (pH 1–4) are explored here at the atomic scale. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) is applied to characterize the crystallinity, morphology and size of the particles. It is found that 2 nm crystalline NPs are formed with a PuO2crystal structure. High energy resolution fluorescence detected (HERFD) X-ray absorption spectroscopy at the Pu M4edge has been used to identify the Pu oxidation states and recorded data are analysed using the theory based on the Anderson impurity model (AIM). The experimental data obtained on NPs show that the Pu(iv) oxidation state dominates in all NPs formed at pH 1–4. However, the suspension at pH 1 demonstrates the presence of Pu(iii) and Pu(vi) in addition to the Pu(iv), which is associated with redox dissolution of PuO2NPs under acidic conditions. We discuss in detail the mechanism that affects the PuO2NPs synthesis under acidic conditions and compare it with one in neutral and alkaline conditions. Hence, the results shown here, together with the first Pu M4HERFD data on PuF3and PuF4compounds, are significant for the colloid facilitated transport governing the migration of plutonium in a subsurface environment.

The valence electronic structure of the half-metallic double perovskite Sr2FeMoO6forms from a strongly hybridized band in the spin-down channel of Fe 3d and Mo 4d states that provides metallic conductivity and a gapped spin-up channel. The ground-state description has previously been explored in terms of many-body interactions where local and nonlocal interactions produce states with a combination of a charge-transfer configuration and intersite charge fluctuations. Here, we provide a qualitative understanding on nonlocal effects in Sr2FeMoO6using a combination of core-level X-ray spectroscopies, specifically X-ray absorption, emission, and photoelectron spectroscopies. Our spectroscopic data indicate intersite Fe 4p–O 2p–Mo 4d interactions to be the origin of these nonlocalized transitions. Close to the Fermi level, this interaction is dominated by Mo 4d–O 2p character. When our data are compared against first-principles electronic structure calculations, we conclude that a full understanding of the nature of these states requires a spin-resolved description of the hybridization functions and that the nonlocal screening occurs predominantly through hybridization in the minority spin channel of the Mo 4d bands.

The performance of hybrid perovskite materials in solar cells crucially depends on their electronic properties, and it is important to investigate contributions to the total electronic structure from specific components in the material. In a combined theoretical and experimental study of CH3NH3PbI3—methylammonium lead triiodide (MAPI)—and its bromide cousin CH3NH3PbBr3(MAPB), we analyze nitrogen K-edge (N 1s-to-2p*) X-ray absorption (XA) spectra measured in MAPI and MAPB single crystals. This permits comparison of spectral features to the local character of unoccupied molecular orbitals on the CH3NH3+(MA+) counterions and allows us to investigate how thermal fluctuations, hydrogen bonding, and halide-ion substitution influence the XA spectra as a measure of the local electronic structure. In agreement with the experiment, the simulated spectra for MAPI and MAPB show close similarity, except that the MAPB spectral features are blue-shifted by +0.31 eV. The shift is shown to arise from the intrinsic difference in the electronic structure of the two halide atoms rather than from structural differences between the materials. In addition, from the spectral sampling analysis of molecular dynamics simulations, clear correlations between geometric descriptors (N–C, N–H, and H···I/Br distances) and spectral features are identified and used to explain the spectral shapes.

The chemical properties of actinide materials are often predefined and described based on the data available for isostructural species. This is the case for potassium plutonyl (PuVI) carbonate, K4PuVIO2(CO3)3(cr), a complex relevant for nuclear technology and the environment, of which the crystallographic and thermodynamic properties of which are still lacking. We report here the synthesis and characterization of PuVIachieved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and high-energy-resolution fluorescence-detected X-ray absorption near-edge structure at the Pu M4-edge coupled with electronic structure calculations. The crystallographic properties of PuVIare compared with isostructural uranium (U) and neptunium (Np) compounds. Actinyl (AnVI) axial bond lengths, [O–AnVI–O]2+, are correlated between solid, K4AnVIO2(CO3)3(cr), and aqueous, [AnVIO2(CO3)3]4–(aq)species for the UVI–NpVI–PuVIseries. The spectroscopic data are compared to KPuVO2CO3(cr)and PuIVO2(cr)to tackle the trend in the electronic structure of PuVIregarding the oxidation state changes and local structural modifications around the Pu atom.

A theoretical overview of the core-to-core (3d-4f) resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS) spectra of actinide dioxides AnO2(An = Th, U, Np, Pu, Am, Cu, Bk, Cf) is provided. The 3d-4fRIXS maps were calculated using crystal-field multiplet theory and turned out to be significantly different at the An M5vs M4edges, because of selection rules and final state effects. The results of the calculations allowed for a general analysis of so-called high-energy-resolution fluorescence-detected X-ray absorption (HERFD-XAS) spectra. The cuts of the calculated RIXS maps along the incident energy axis at the constant emitted energy, corresponding to the maximum of the RIXS intensity, represented the HERFD spectra and provided their comparison with calculated conventional X-ray absorption (XAS) spectra with a reduced core-hole lifetime broadening at the An M5and M4edges. Although the An M5HERFD profiles were found to depart from the X-ray absorption cross-section, in terms of appearing additional transitions, the results of calculations for the An M4edges demonstrate overall better agreement between the HERFD and XAS spectra for most dioxides, keeping in mind a restricted HERFD resolution, because of the core–hole lifetime broadening in the final state. The results confirm the utility of HERFD for the An chemical state determination and indicate the importance of calculating the entire RIXS process in order to interpret the HERFD data correctly.

Chalcogenide perovskites exhibit optoelectronic properties that position them as potential materials in the field of photovoltaics. We report a detailed investigation into the electronic structure and chemical properties of polycrystalline BaZrS3perovskite powder by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, complemented by an analysis of its long- and short-range geometric structures using X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The results obtained for the powdered BaZrS3are compared to similar measurements on a sputtered polycrystalline BaZrS3thin film prepared through rapid thermal processing. While bulk characterization confirms the good quality of the powder, depth-profiling achieved by photoelectron spectroscopy utilizing Al Kα(1.487 keV) and Ga Kα(9.25 keV) radiations shows that, regardless of the fabrication method, the oxidation effects extend beyond 10 nm from the sample surface, with zirconium oxides specifically distributing deeper than the oxidized sulfur species. A hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study on the powder and thin film detects signals with minimal contamination contributions and allows for the determination of the valence band maximum position with respect to the Fermi level. Based on these measurements, we establish a correlation between the experimental valence band spectra and the theoretical density of states derived from density functional theory calculations, thereby discerning the orbital constituents involved. Our analysis provides an improved understanding of the electronic structure of BaZrS3developed through different synthesis protocols by linking it to material geometry, surface chemistry, and the nature of doping. This methodology can thus be adapted for describing electronic structures of chalcogenide perovskite semiconductors in general, a knowledge that is significant for interface engineering and, consequently, for device integration.

Layered two-dimensional (2D) hybrid organic–inorganic perovskites (HOP) are promising materials for light-harvesting applications because of their chemical stability, wide flexibility in composition and dimensionality, and increases in photovoltaic power conversion efficiencies. Three 2D lead iodide perovskites were studied through various X-ray spectroscopic techniques to derive detailed electronic structures and band energetics profiles at a titania interface. Core-level and valence band photoelectron spectra of HOP were analyzed to resolve the electronic structure changes due to the reduced dimensionality of inorganic layers. The results show orbital narrowing when comparing the HOP, the layered precursor PbI2, and the conventional 3D (CH3NH3)PbI3such that different localizations of band edge states and narrow band states are unambiguously due to the decrease in dimensionality of the layered HOPs. Support from density functional theory calculations provide further details on the interaction and band gap variations of the electronic structure. We observed an interlayer distance dependent dispersion in the near band edge electronic states. The results show how tuning the interlayer distance between the inorganic layers affects the electronic properties and provides important design principles for control of the interlayer charge transport properties, such as the change in effective charge masses as a function of the organic cation length. The results of these findings can be used to tune layered materials for optimal functionality and new applications.

A systematic X-ray absorption study at the U 3d, 4d, and 4f edges of UO2was performed, and the data were analyzed within framework of the Anderson impurity model. By applying the high-energy-resolution fluorescence-detection (HERFD) mode of X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) at the U 3d3/2edge and conducting the XAS measurements at the shallower U 4f levels, fine details of the XAS spectra were resolved resulting from reduced core-hole lifetime broadening. This multiedge study enabled a far more effective analysis of the electronic structure at the U sites and characterization of the chemical bonding and degree of the 5f localization in UO2. The results support the covalent character of UO2and do not agree with the suggestions of rather ionic bonding in this compound as expressed in some publications.

Soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS) have been performed on several nickel-containing bioinorganic complexes. RIXS spectral features are shown to be informative and diagnostic for the different oxidation states (NiIIvs NiIII) and spin states (high spin NiIIvs low spin NiII) in these bioinorganic systems. In addition to the experimental results, multiplet simulation has also been performed to assist in understanding the observed XAS and RIXS features. These results demonstrate the power and complementarity of RIXS in identifying the electronic states for covalent and biorelevant complexes for the first time and pave the way for potential RIXS application to real biological systems.