Advances in X-ray Spectroscopy Applications in Coordination Polymers and Inorganic Compounds

Dear Colleagues,

Modern X-ray spectroscopic methods offer great opportunities in elucidating structural as well as electronic properties of coordination polymers and inorganic compounds. In its numerous modalities, we find among them the emergent photon-in photon-out variations, such as High Energy Resolution Fluorescence Detection X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (HERFD-XAS), reflecting the lowest unoccupied states within the probed atom. Complementary to it is Valence-to-Core X-ray emission spectroscopy (VtC-XES), which probes the highest occupied states. In both cases, neighboring atoms with similar atomic numbers can be distinguished.

X-ray Photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) allows equally diverse sample compositions to probe electronic structures. Photoelectron spectroscopy is available at most institutions for solid materials under ultra-high vacuum only, leaving gas-phase, liquid-phase and near ambient pressure investigations to the realm of synchrotron analytical methods.

Recent developments in absorption as well photoelectron-based methodologies allow researchers to monitor chemical reactions with spatiotemporal resolution, often providing insights into the mechanism of assemblies and function of advanced materials.

Coordination polymers (CP) and inorganic materials continue to be the focus of the materials science community. One important class of CP is Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs), which have been classified by IUPAC amongst the 10 chemical innovations that will change our world. MOFs and classical inorganic materials can be used for numerous applications relating to catalytic or related material properties. New materials are developed with breath-taking speed and examples include classical catalysts for chemical conversion, electrodes in batteries, contact material in fuel cells, components in electronic materials, sensor interfaces, and even bio-catalysts, nanozymes, and biomaterial components for medical applications, just to name a few examples.

In this present Special Issue entitled “Advances in X-ray Spectroscopy Applications in Coordination Polymers and Inorganic Compounds,” we would like to invite contributions that demonstrate advances of either spectroscopic methodology or materials and that preferentially indicate the value of interdisciplinary cooperation between these two fields to tackle prevailing challenges in future specialty materials, mobility, energy or medical care.  We envision that this Special Issue will further connect the different communities and to inspire future boundary-breaking research endeavors.

Potential topics include but are not limited to:

Methods development & theoretical aspects:

• Method development in X-ray spectroscopy: HERFD-XAS, XES, XPS, Full-field XAS
• Use of theoretical calculations, whether XAS spectra or the use of classical molecular mechanics/dynamics (MM/MD), as a complementary and accurate verification tool of structure data obtained by experimental methods

Applications of X-ray spectroscopy:

• Time-resolved and/or spatiotemporal studies on materials with catalyst properties
• Applications of X-ray spectroscopy to aid development of novel materials
• Material property evaluation using x-ray spectroscopy, especially but not limited to catalysts

Prof. Dr. Sebastian Beyer
Dr. Ana Guilherme Buzanich
Guest Editors

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• XAS
• XES
• XPS
• Coordination Polymers
• MOFs
• catalysis
• in situ studies
• method development