Automated system for x-ray absorption spectroscopy of nanoparticle nucleation and growth

X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) is a useful tool for studying nanoparticle synthesis and growth. Described here is a system for automating synthesis and data collection, allowing time-resolved XAS measurements at a synchrotron to be accurately combined with measurements made under identical conditions elsewhere, and promising the ability to use XAS with experiments in combinatorial chemistry. The primary components of this system are a commercial parallel processor and a custom flow cell. The system has been used to collect data on the synthesis of iron oxides from iron(II) acetylacetonate. (C) 2005 American Institute of Physics.