X-ray absorption spectroscopy: A tool to study the local atomic and electronic structure of ceramics

X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) is a powerful tool for investigating the local atomic and electronic structure around selected types of atoms in materials, independently of the presence of long or medium range order. We show on several examples, how XAS call bring useful information in the case of ceramic materials, when combined to theoretical modelling of the absorption spectra. Local structure around Ce doping atoms in Y2O3, structural modifications of PbO during the alpha-beta phase transformation are presented first. We illustrate in the case of iron oxides, the possibilities offered by XAS at different edges (Fe and O K, Fe L-23) in determining both the valence and site symmetry of the iron atoms. We conclude with the perspectives provided by the third generation synchrotron sources in the field of microanalysis by XAS. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Limited. All rights reserved.