"EMU: Acquisition of an X-ray excited photoelectron spectrometer for use in solid-state physics, chemistry and nuclear materials science"

• Grant number: 23/17386-0
• Support Opportunities: Research Infrastructure Program - Small Medium Sized
• Start date: September 01, 2024
• End date: August 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Physical Metallurgy
• Principal Investigator: Isolda Costa
• Grantee: Isolda Costa
• Host Institution: Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares (IPEN). Secretaria de Desenvolvimento Econômico (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Célia Regina Tomachuk dos Santos Catuogno ; Everton Bonturim ; Fabio Coral Fonseca

Abstract

The XPS technique is one of the most powerful for studying the chemical composition of surfaces. It uses high-energy X-ray photons to irradiate the surface of a sample, leading to the ejection of photoelectrons from atomic orbitals, which are detected based on their kinetic energy. The applications of the XPS technique in research areas, whether in the nuclear area or in related areas, are quite broad, supporting the multidisciplinary and multi-user nature of the equipment intended in this call.IPEN is an example for the multitude of applications in multidisciplinary research that are extremely important for the State of São Paulo and that would benefit from the acquisition of the XPS K-alpha system: the Institute's Radiopharmacy Center, which since 1959 has been responsible for the production of radiopharmaceuticals (which currently serve two million Brazilians per year) and the development of new radiopharmaceuticals against cancer, may benefit from the acquisition of an XPS by making it possible to investigate ways of increasing the absorption of radiopharmaceuticals, using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.The acquisition and installation of a system of this type at IPEN would make a relevant contribution to scientific and technological development at both a regional and national level. Research groups working in nuclear and related areas would benefit in an unprecedented way with the creation of this infrastructure in the State of São Paulo (AU)