The effect of carbonate contaminations on the XPS O 1s band structure in metal oxides

Abstract

Abstract The aim of the paper is to give examples of XPS analysis, showing how O 1s bands can be affected by surface carbonates. A proper peak assignment (e.g. to O − OH − species) needs the preliminary determination of a carbonate contribution. Although the samples examined represent Co and La compounds only, the principal conclusions can be extended also to other oxide systems.