Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 February 2011
Glancing-angle x-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy has been used to characterize the structure of Co(II) complexes adsorbed from aqueous solution on single crystal ∝-Al2O3 surfaces. The spectra reveal considerable differences in the local structure, as a function of both the crystallographic face and the orientation of the sample with respect to the beam polarization. Data analysis indicates that the predominant mode of Co chemisorption is as a tridentate CoO6 octahedral complex edge-shared with surface Al octahedra. For systems where this method is feasible, it is the technique of choice for characterizing metal ion adsorption complexes.