Sodium Polyphosphate (Na4P4O12) by XPS

We report the XPS spectra of sodium polyphosphate. XPS spectra were collected with a VSW HA150 x-ray photoelectron spectrometer using monochromatic Al Kα x-radiation. Monochromatic radiation provides a distinct clarity to the rich peak structure in the valence band of sodium polyphosphate due to the absence of interfering x-ray satellites from the intense O 2s region. The features seen in the valence band are unique to the (P4O12)4− ion and therefore provide a means for distinguishing this compound from chemically similar compounds such as other phosphates. The valence band, survey, Na 1s, O 1s, C 1s, P 2s, P 2p, and Na 2s levels are reported.