XAS/XES and RIXS measurements on different 3d metals (Cu, Ni, Fe) compounds for different applications.

This proposal involves 3 different projects: 1) XAS/XES and RIXS preliminary study of the interaction of a novel Cu-phenanthroline chemotherapeutic with bio-molecules during x-ray excitation. The experiments aim to characterize the electronic structure around the Cu metal centers and possibly predict a chemical action mechanism in cancer cells. 2) XAS measurement of NiO, Ni(OH)2, and NiSO4 hexahydrate references as ex situ pellet and liquid jet. The data will help in the interpretation of previous Ni K-edge XANES spectra collected on oh-PtNiIr nanoparticles in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell. 3) XAS/XES ex situ measurements Pt-CaTi1-xFexO3-d (CTF) perovskite catalyst.The introduction of Fe atoms in improves the catalytic performance in the context of the low temperature oxidation of CO.However, the catalytic role and oxidation state of the Fe is still not completely understood.The experiment aim to unveil the electronic structure and local coordination geometry of the Fe atoms.