X-Ray Photoelectron Spectrometers for 2D & Nanomaterials-Medical / Health Care
Characterising 2D materials is a crucial aspect of advancing nanoscience and nanotechnology. These materials, which are essentially one or two atoms thick, exhibit unique and extraordinary properties that make them promising candidates for various applications, such as electronics, optoelectronics, and energy storage. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) offers valuable information about the electronic structure and chemical composition. Due to the dimension of the material, careful interpretation of XPS data is often required.
Graphene – driving XPS analysis of 2D materials
Graphene needs no introduction – its meteoric rise in fame and interest marks it out as the most commonly discussed and lauded materials of the 21st century. For anyone unfamiliar with its relevance please refer to the numerous perspectives and review articles written about the material and its intended applications. The nature of graphene makes it a true “surface” material and as such XPS is the ideal technique for characterising its synthesis in terms of elemental and chemical composition.
XPS is particularly useful in determining the carbon-to-oxygen ratio, providing insights into the degree of oxidation and the presence of functional groups on the graphene surface. Additionally, the technique enables the identification of impurities or contaminants that may influence the material’s performance. XPS’ sensitivity to surface chemistry and its ability to discriminate between different carbon bonding states make it an indispensable tool for characterising graphene-based materials. This knowledge can help researchers in tailoring and optimising properties of graphene for a myriad of applications in electronics, sensors, and advanced materials.