X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
As the demand for high-performance and more complex materials increases, so does the importance of surface engineering. The material’s surface is the point of interaction with the external environment and other materials; therefore, many of the problems associated with modern materials can be solved only by understanding the physical and chemical interactions that occur at the surface or at the interfaces of a material’s layers. The surface will influence such factors as corrosion rates, catalytic activity, adhesive properties, wettability, contact potential, and failure mechanisms, to name just a few.
X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy instrumentation
Surface modification can be used to alter or improve these characteristics, and so surface analysis is used to understand surface chemistry of a material and investigate the efficacy of surface engineering. From non-stick cookware coatings to thin-film electronics and bio-active surfaces, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy instruments are the standard tools for surface characterization.