Characterization of the Surface of α-FeOOH Powder by XPS

We report x-ray photoemission spectra of the surface of iron (III) oxyhydroxide (α-FeOOH) particles. Research grade purity (99.0%) α-FeOOH sample was commercially obtained from Alfa/AESAR. The XPS spectra were measured with the Physical Electronics Model 5400 X-ray Photoelectron Spectrometer using unmonochromated Mg Kα x-rays at two pass energy settings corresponding to analyzer energy resolutions of 1.34 and 0.54 eV. We present the survey spectrum (binding energy range of 0–1100 eV) measured at an analyzer energy resolution of 1.34 eV. Multiplexes of the C 1s, O 1s and 2s, Fe 2p and 3p photoemission lines, valence band region as well as the Fe L3VV Auger line were measured at an analyzer energy resolution of 0.54 eV. The XPS spectra indicate that the surface of α-FeOOH powdered material consists mainly of its bulk chemistry with small quantities of oxidized carbon and hydrocarbon as contaminants.