Soft X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy at Solid-Water Interfaces (Dr. Tristan Petit, Helmholtz Berlin)

Title: Soft X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy at Solid-Water Interfaces
Speaker: Dr. Tristan Petit, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin
Abstract:
Solid-water interfaces involving nanomaterials are playing a fundamental role in many applications. Soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy is a powerful technique that allows the selective characterization of either the solid or the aqueous phase benefiting from its element specificity. Nevertheless, performing characterization of aqueous solution in vacuum remains experimentally challenging. In this presentation, I will present the different classes of nano-interfaces and explain how they can be probed using soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy. These concepts will be illustrated with selected examples from our group covering different types of solid-water nano-interfaces, including colloidal dispersions, mesoporous and layered materials. Latest advances in in situ scanning transmission X-ray microscopy will also be highlighted in this context.