ARS | Publication request: SOFT X-RAY SPECTROMICROSCOPY ON HYDRATED COLLOIDAL SYSTEMS

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: June 30, 1999
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Soft x-ray microscopes offer especially favorable contrast mechanisms for studying colloidal systems. The energy range of the water window between oxygen and carbon K absorption edges (543 and 284 eV) is of particular interest for studies on hydrated samples. In addition, x-ray absorption edges can be used to visualize and map compounds containing these elements versus other compounds. We used soft x-ray microscopy to image hydrated clays, to obtain contrast based on elemental composition (C, Ca), and to highlight C chemical states. Polyacrylamide is a flocculent that is added to irrigation water to reduce erosion and increase water efficiency. We used the scanning transmission x-ray microscope to visualize the flocculation of a KGa-1 kaolinite clay suspension at various concentrations of polyacrylamide. The results are in good agreement with the concentrations needed for field application, yet provide a very direct way of visualizing the effects of the flocculent. Clay-organic interactions have been studied in a system of an aqueous dispersion of 0.1-% sodium montmorillonite and 10 g/l trimethylammonium- polyethylenglycol 20000 molecular weight. Taking advantage of carbon absorption edge contrast, the details of this interaction and the structures of aggregates formed can be revealed. Other work includes looking at marine sediments. In the port of New York/New Jersey, a large fraction of marine sediment, that needs to be dredged from navigational channels is contaminated. This sediment has been imaged in a hydrated state near carbon absorption edge and carbonaceous material has been mapped. Current studies deal with analyzing the carbon contaminants in the contaminated sediment by C-XANES.