Effect of chemical environment on magnitude of x-ray absorption resonance at L I I I edges. Studies on metallic elements, compounds, and catalysts

We report spectra isolating the LIII x-ray absorption threshold resonance of the elements iridium, platinum, and gold in the pure metallic state and in a variety of compounds. When normalized spectra obtained on the metals are subtracted from those obtained on the compounds, the resulting difference spectra are related to differences in the electronic structure of the absorber atom in the two types of environment. The change in area of a threshold resonance line obtained from such a difference spectrum can be related to the ionicity of the bonds of the absorber atom in its compounds. Measurements on supported platinum and iridium catalysts provide information on electronic changes in the metal due to the small size of the metal clusters or to interaction with the support material. Information on electronic changes due to interaction of the catalysts with gas molecules may also be obtained.