Orbitals and Energies #
Note – these are listed in BINDING ENERGY
Cd 3d ≈ 405 eV
Cd 3s ≈ 775 eV
Cd 3p ≈ 620 eV
Cd 4s ≈ 110 eV
Cd 4p ≈ 67 eV
Common Overlaps for Cd 3d #
N 1s – Sc 2p – Ta 4p – Tl 4d – Mo 3p – Lu 4p – Pb 4d – Dy 4s
Theory and Background #
Cadmium (Cd) is a soft, bluish-white metal that is chemically similar to zinc and mercury. It is primarily used in the production of nickel-cadmium (NiCd) batteries, which are widely used in portable electronic devices and power tools. Cadmium is also used as a corrosion-resistant coating for steel and as a stabilizer in plastics. Additionally, it is employed in the manufacturing of pigments, particularly in yellow, orange, and red colours. Cadmium’s role in nuclear reactors as a neutron absorber in control rods is another significant application. Surface analysis of cadmium is crucial because it helps understand the material’s surface chemistry, which influences its reactivity, corrosion resistance, and interaction with other materials.
Cd salts generally increase in binding energy as the Cd centre increases in positive charge (although the shift is not large) – except in the case of CdO. This is due to an unusually large extra-atomic relaxation energy contribution, which exceeds predictions from nearest neighbour electronegativity arguments.[5]
Experimental Advice #
Cadmium can be tricky to speciate, so recording the Cd MNN auger is recommended.
Data Analysis Guidance #
Cd 3d peaks can be fit with standard LA, though some of the chalcogenide type materials may exhibit slight asymmetry, and require an LA asym or LF type fit.
References #
- Islam, M. J., et al. (2020). “The effect of metal precursor on copper phase dispersion and nanoparticle formation for the catalytic transformations of furfural.” Applied Catalysis B: Environmental: 119062. Read it online here.
- Miller, A. and G. Simmons (1993). “Copper by XPS.” Surface Science Spectra 2(1): 55-60. Read it online here.
- Vasquez, R. (1998). “Cu2O by XPS.” Surface Science Spectra 5(4): 257-261. Read it online here.
- Vasquez, R. (1998). “CuO by XPS.” Surface Science Spectra 5(4): 262-266. Read it online here.
- Biesinger, M. C. (2017). “Advanced analysis of copper X‐ray photoelectron spectra.” Surface and interface analysis 49(13): 1325-1334. Read it online here.
- Thøgersen, A., et al. (2008). “An experimental study of charge distribution in crystalline and amorphous Si nanoclusters in thin silica films.” Journal of Applied Physics 103(2): 024308. Read it online here.
- Moretti, G. (1998). “Auger parameter and Wagner plot in the characterization of chemical states by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy: a review.” Journal of Electron Spectroscopy and Related Phenomena 95(2-3): 95-144. Read it online here.
- Batista, J., et al. (2001). “On the structural characteristics of γ-alumina-supported Pd–Cu bimetallic catalysts.” Applied Catalysis A: General 217(1-2): 55-68. Read it online here.
- Ghijsen, Jacques, et al. “Electronic structure of Cu 2 O and CuO.” Physical Review B 38.16 (1988): 11322. Read it online here.
