X‐ray Absorption Spectroscopy

The investigation of the local geometric and electronic structure of probing elements in bulk samples is the most extensive field of application in X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS). XAS consists of two main regions which are X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (XANES) and Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS). The former region is used to explain the local geometry and oxidation states of selected elements in a sample whilst the latter one is used to address the local structure around probing elements in samples. In this chapter, the introduction of XAS, its theory, and applications of synchrotron-based XAS on advanced functional materials especially on energy materials and batteries will be introduced in order to understand the structure and function relationship of these materials.