A liquid flatjet system for solution phase soft-x-ray spectroscopy

We present a liquid flatjet system for solution phase soft-x-ray spectroscopy. The flatjet set-up utilises the phenomenon of formation of stable liquid sheets upon collision of two identical laminar jets. Colliding the two single water jets, coming out of the nozzles with 50 μm orifices, under an impact angle of 48° leads to double sheet formation, of which the first sheet is 4.6 mm long and 1.0 mm wide. The liquid flatjet operates fully functional under vacuum conditions (<10(-3) mbar), allowing soft-x-ray spectroscopy of aqueous solutions in transmission mode. We analyse the liquid water flatjet thickness under atmospheric pressure using interferomeric or mid-infrared transmission measurements and under vacuum conditions by measuring the absorbance of the O K-edge of water in transmission, and comparing our results with previously published data obtained with standing cells with Si3N4 membrane windows. The thickness of the first liquid sheet is found to vary between 1.4-3 μm, depending on the transverse and longitudinal position in the liquid sheet. We observe that the derived thickness is of similar magnitude under 1 bar and under vacuum conditions. A catcher unit facilitates the recycling of the solutions, allowing measurements on small sample volumes (∼10 ml). We demonstrate the applicability of this approach by presenting measurements on the N K-edge of aqueous NH4 (+). Our results suggest the high potential of using liquid flatjets in steady-state and time-resolved studies in the soft-x-ray regime

Probing the Hofmeister Effect with Ultrafast Core Hole Spectroscopy

In the current work, X-ray emission spectra of aqueous solutions of different inorganic salts within the Hofmeister series are presented. The results reflect the direct interaction of the ions with the water molecules and therefore, reveal general properties of the salt-water interactions. Within the experimental precision a significant effect of the ions on the water structure has been observed but no ordering according to the structure maker/structure breaker concept could be mirrored in the results indicating that the Hofmeister effect-if existent-may be caused by more complex interactions

Soft X ray spectroscopy of light elements in energy storage materials

The increasing demand for electrochemical energy storage devices continuously promotes the development of new electrode materials and electrolytes. As a result, understanding their structural and electronic properties affecting electrochemical performance becomes crucial. The role of light elements, which are found in anode and cathode materials, in electrolytes and hence in the solid-electrolyte interphases, requires a special attention. Soft X-ray spectroscopies are particularly relevant to probe selectively light elements in complex environment. Here, the recent advances in the characterization of light elements in energy storage materials by soft X-ray spectroscopy and microscopy techniques are reviewed. After introducing the main X-ray spectroscopic methods and their application to ex situ/in situ/operando characterization of electrochemical processes, the role of light elements in the electrode for supercapacitors and Li/Na-ion storage applications is described. The characterization of electrolytes and related ion solvation is then briefly reviewed before describing how the formation and evolution of solid-electrolyte interphases can be monitored with these methods. Finally, major challenges and future opportunities for soft X-rays spectroscopy in the context of electrochemical energy storage are highlighted

Theoretical Investigation of Transient Species following Photodissociation of Ironpentacarbonyl in Ethanol Solution

Photodissociation of ironpentacarbonyl in solution generates transient species in different electronic states, which we have studied theoretically. From ab initio molecular dynamics simulations in ethanol solution, the closed-shell parent compound Fe(CO)5 is found to interact weakly with the solvent, whereas the irontetracarbonyl (Fe(CO)4) species, formed after photodissociation, has a strongly spin-dependent behavior. It coordinates a solvent molecule tightly in the singlet state and weakly in the triplet state. From the simulations, we have gained insight into intersystem crossing in solvated irontetracarbonyl, based on the distinct structural differences induced by the change in multiplitity. Alternative forms of coordination between Fe(CO)4 and functional groups of the ethanol molecule are simulated and a quantum chemical investigation of the energy landscape for the coordinated irontetracarbonyl give information about the interconversion of different transient species in solution. Furthermore, insights from the simulations, in which we find evidence of a solvent exchange mechanism, challenge the previously proposed mechanism of chain walking for undercoordinated metal carbonyls in solution

Cr L Edge X ray Absorption Spectroscopy of CrIII acac 3 in Solution with Measured and Calculated Absolute Absorption Cross Sections

X ray absorption spectroscopy at the L edge of 3d transition metals is widely used for probing the valence electronic structure at the metal site via 2p 3d transitions. Assessing the information contained in L edge absorption spectra requires systematic comparison of experiment and theory. We here investigate the Cr L edge absorption spectrum of high spin chromium acetylacetonate CrIII acac 3 in solution. Using a transmission flatjet enables determining absolute absorption cross sections and spectra free from x ray induced sample damage. We address the challenges of measuring Cr L absorption edges spectrally close to the O K absorption edge of the solvent. We critically assess how experimental absorption cross sections can be used to extract information on the electronic structure of the studied system by comparing our results of this CrIII 3d3 complex to our previous work on L edge absorption cross sections of MnIII acac 3 3d4 and MnII acac 2 3d5 . Considering our experimental uncertainties, the most insightful experimental observable for this d3 Cr III d4 Mn III d5 Mn II series is the L edge branching ratio and we discuss it in comparison to semi empirical multiplet theory and ab initio restricted active space calculations. We further discuss and analyze trends in integrated absorption cross sections and correlate the spectral shapes with the local electronic structure at the metal site

A liquid flatjet system for solution phase soft-x-ray spectroscopy

We present a liquid flatjet system for solution phase soft-x-ray spectroscopy. The flatjet set-up utilises the phenomenon of formation of stable liquid sheets upon collision of two identical laminar jets. Colliding the two single water jets, coming out of the nozzles with 50 μm orifices, under an impact angle of 48° leads to double sheet formation, of which the first sheet is 4.6 mm long and 1.0 mm wide. The liquid flatjet operates fully functional under vacuum conditions (<10−3 mbar), allowing soft-x-ray spectroscopy of aqueous solutions in transmission mode. We analyse the liquid water flatjet thickness under atmospheric pressure using interferomeric or mid-infrared transmission measurements and under vacuum conditions by measuring the absorbance of the O K-edge of water in transmission, and comparing our results with previously published data obtained with standing cells with Si3N4 membrane windows. The thickness of the first liquid sheet is found to vary between 1.4–3 μm, depending on the transverse and longitudinal position in the liquid sheet. We observe that the derived thickness is of similar magnitude under 1 bar and under vacuum conditions. A catcher unit facilitates the recycling of the solutions, allowing measurements on small sample volumes (∼10 ml). We demonstrate the applicability of this approach by presenting measurements on the N K-edge of aqueous NH4+. Our results suggest the high potential of using liquid flatjets in steady-state and time-resolved studies in the soft-x-ray regime