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Surface Analysis @ Cardiff

 

XPS Analysis Request Forms

Please click one of the links below to download the analysis request forms:

 

 

Recommended Sample Preparation, Handling and Transport for XPS Analysis

General Considerations:

  • Avoid contaminating the surfaces of the samples through handling, scratching or contact with other surfaces.
  • Cleaning solvents such as isopropyl alcohol, acetone, hexane and chloroform can be used, however these may leave residues and possibly alter the surface to be investigated.
  • Samples should be able to withstand ultra high vacuum (UHV) conditions.
  • Samples with a large surface area or with volatile components should ideally be dried, and pumped down prior to insertion.
  • Health and safety: MSDS sheets and any other relevant information should be supplied with all samples where appropriate.
  • Never use plastic containers. Use glass Petri-dishes or similar for sample preparation or storage.
  • Never use plastic gloves other than non-powdered ones made of polyethene
  • Do not use plastic tweezers or other plastic tools.
  • Do not use plastic bags for sample storage
  • Do not use "bench-top" laboratory solvents. High purity chemicals are required
  • Clean all metal tweezers etc used for handling by sonication in Isopropyl Alcohol

Powder samples:

  • Powder samples can be mounted in a number of ways. Preferred methods are:
    • Pressed on to contamination free adhesive tape
    • Pressing into Indium. High purity Indium is essential
    • Deposition from slurry onto a suitable substrate
    • Pressing into a sample disc (This may result in prolonged outgassing during pump down)
    • Pressing into Stainless Steel Mesh

 

Solvent use:

  • Always use clean solvents of highest possible purity. Subsequently we recommend the use of AnalaR grade wherever possible.
  • If high purity solvents are not available, samples should be rinsed in high purity Hexane after the use of impure solvents.
  • Avoid any contact of solvents or samples with plastics throughout.
  • Only use polyethylene gloves. Avoid use of nitrile gloves

 
   

Recipe for substrate cleaning:

  • Sonicate as follows:
    • 10 min. in Dichloromethane (standard grade is suitable)
    • 10 min. in Hexane (AnalaR grade or similar)
    • 10 min. in Chloroform (AnalaR grade or similar)
    • Note: This will leave a carbon layer from the solvents but should have removed the contamination during preparation
  • Other Possible Methods:
    • Plasma Discharge (Argon or Oxygen)
    • Ozone Cleaning

    Sample Dimensions:

    • Typically we request where possible samples are:
      • ca. 5mm2 (our preferred maximum size is ca. 1 cm2). Typically samples that are 5mm2 maximizes the number of samples analysed per pump-down cycle.
      • Samples should be no greater than 4mm thick (Special sample bars are available for bulkier samples - please contact us)
      • Sample preparation for use in the gas treatment cell should ideally be pressed to avoid material loss - please contact us for detailed information.

     

Sample containers:

  • It is advisable when possible not to use plastic containers, although Petri-dishes made of Polystyrene are acceptable. In case of any doubt use glass containers for sample preparation cleaned with the method detailed to the left.
    • Aluminium foil is generally clean enough for most purposes and can be used for sample packaging. To minimise possible contamination, please ensure that the outer part of the foil roll is not used and that the sample touches only the inner part of the foil.

     

     

     

    ©2007 Cardiff University and D Morgan