A method to evaluate α′-Fe16N2 volume ratio in FeN bulk material by XPS

Abstract

Amethod based on the analysis of the X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) of the N1s in FeN material, which can be used to directly evaluate volume ratio of α′-Fe16N2, is presented. The N1s binding energies of three possible iron nitride, including α′-Fe8N, α′-Fe16N2 and-Fe4N, are determined experimentally. Based on these specific contributions, the XPS spectra are deconvoluted and the phases'f volume ratios are evaluated. This method is also used on thin film samples.The comparison between the XPS and traditional X-ray diffraction results shows that these two methods provide the same volume ratio values within a reasonable error region.