We present a new ab initio way to calculate X-ray Raman scattering spectra within the independent electron approximation. Our approach avoids any approximation about the shape of the used potential and leads to good agreement between experiment and theory. We show that the momentum transfer dependence in two typical cases, the F K-edge in LiF and the B and N K-edges in hexagonal BN, is well-reproduced. A more in-depth analysis of the electronic states and of the local atomic structure around the absorbing atoms is at hand.

Fe-modified MgAl2O4 makes a surprisingly active catalyst support, likely linked to a structural effect of the Fe incorporation. Two catalyst supports, MgAl2O4 and MgFeAlO4, have been studied in fresh and reduced state to determine the effect of high-temperature H2 reduction upon ion distribution in the lattices. To this end, an X-ray Raman scattering study has been performed, focusing on the oxygen K edge and magnesium and aluminum L2,3 and iron M2,3 soft edges. MgAl2O4 shows a random cation distribution and only small changes occur at the Mg L2,3 and Al L2,3 edges upon reduction at 1073 K. The main oxygen signal does lose intensity and its simulation points to a lower O covalency and more confined state after reduction. Introducing 8.9 wt % Fe into the spinel pushes Mg towards mostly tetrahedral position in the MgFeAlO4 lattice, whereas Fe and Al share the octahedral sites. Concomitant lattice distortion is observable in the O signal. Reduction of MgFeAlO4 leads to enhanced distortion visible in the O and Al signals and the presence of 50% Fe2+. Both disorder and reduction lead to partial segregation of MgFeO x from the MgFeAlO4 lattice. This combination of distortion and phase restructuring in the Fe-modified MgFeAlO4 material facilitates the lattice oxygen mobility and hence its catalytic activity.

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Photocharging has recently been demonstrated as a powerful method to improve the photoelectrochemical water splitting performance of different metal oxide photoanodes, including BiVO4. In this work, we use ambient-pressure X-ray Raman scattering (XRS) spectroscopy to study the surface electronic structure of photocharged BiVO4. The O K edge spectrum was simulated using the finite difference method near-edge structure program package, which revealed a change in electron confinement and occupancy in the conduction band. These insights, combined with ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses, reveal that a surface layer formed during photocharging creates a heterojunction with BiVO4, leading to favorable band bending and strongly reduced surface recombination. The XRS images presented in this work exhibit good agreement with soft X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectra from the literature, demonstrating that XRS is a powerful tool to study the electronic and structural properties of light elements in semiconductors. Our findings provide direct evidence of the electronic modification of a metal oxide photoanode surface as a result of the adsorption of electrolyte anionic species under operating conditions. This work highlights that the surface adsorption of these electrolyte anionic species is likely present in most studies on metal oxide photoanodes and has serious implications for the photoelectrochemical performance analysis and fundamental understanding of these materials.