EXAFS investigation of oxidation processes in metallic Cu

Abstract

A new photocathode detector for surface-EXAFS was used to study oxide formation on the surface of polycrystalline Cu plates. The EXAFS spectra taken from the surface of these plates were compared to EXAFS spectra from Cu2O and CuO powder standards. The data demonstrate that Cu2O forms on the surface of Cu during the earlier stages of oxidation whereas CuO is created during the later stages. Furthermore, the oxides appear to form in parallel layers.