The ICB laboratory is equipped with the first HaXPES device (QUANTES-Physical Electronics)

In order to strengthen its research, the ICB laboratory has equipped itself with an automated high-throughput HAXPES spectrometer, a first in Europe.

The integrated project Region BFC-Excellence ISITE CoMICS (Chemistry of Molecular Interactions: Catalysis & Sensors) aims to develop green technologies and innovative materials. It applies to the search for new eco-compatible synthetic processes, to the implementation of original materials for the activation or detection of molecules such as hydrogen, to the separation of strategic chemical species, the depollution or recycling of metals. It brings together research teams from four laboratories in Bourgogne-Franche Comté:  FEMTO-ST, ICB, ICMUB and UTINAM.

At the heart of the project, the in-depth characterization of the surface of materials is essential and photoemission tools are today one of the most powerful and decisive means because they offer the possibility of very precisely analyzing the chemistry of the atoms constituting a potentially very complex system. The most recent progress in this field concerns the emergence of photoelectron spectroscopy using “hard" X-rays (HaXPES). This approach offers a powerful and non-destructive solution to obtain quantitative chemical information on complex materials such as organic-inorganic hybrid materials, deeply buried interfaces, micro- or nano-electronic components, multiple stacks of various materials constituting the solar cells or fuel cells for example.

For ten years, this analysis technique has been developed and used exclusively on a few beamlines of synchrotrons. Recently, harsh X-ray sources have been specifically designed to perform the same type of analyzes in a standard laboratory. As part of the CoMICS project, the BFC-FEDER region co-financing made it possible to acquire the first HaXPES (QUANTES-Physical Electronics) device available in a university structure in Europe. Since April 2021, this device has been integrated into the ICB’s ARCEN-Carnot platform. The available X-ray sources (Kα1 of aluminum at 1486.6 eV and Kα1 of chromium at 5414.9 eV.) Associated with the acquisitions at different angles of emergence of the photoelectrons, will make it possible to carry out quantitative environmental chemical analyzes on thicknesses. which can vary continuously from less than 1 to more than 25 nanometers. In addition, the device is equipped with a sample heating-cooling device so that it will be possible to perform measurements in cryo-HAXPES mode.