Electron energy loss and X-ray absorption spectroscopy of rutile and anatase: a test of structural sensitivity

The electron energy loss and X-ray absorption spectra of two phases of titanium dioxide-rutile and anatase-are reported. Although the nearest-neighbour environments of titanium and oxygen in both these structures are very similar, noticeable differences are observed between the electron energy loss and the X-ray absorption spectra. Attempts to model these differences using real-space multiple-scattering calculations are reasonably successful at the Ti K and O K edges. The authors propose an interpretation of the Ti L 2.3 edge, notably for the presence of a previously unobserved splitting on the L 3 edge.