Strontium

Strontium • Alkaline Earth Metal

Primary XPS region: Sr3d
Overlapping regions: P2s
Binding energies of common chemical states:

Experimental Information

• Sr3p1/2 overlaps C1s region.

Interpretation of XPS spectra

• Sr3d region has well resolved spin-orbit components (Δ=1.76eV, ratio=0.690).
  
  • When multiple chemical states are present, apparent resolution of these two spin-orbit components is reduced. (Compare Sr zirconate with SrO/SrCO3 spectra below.)

General comments

• Sr metal reacts very readily with air to form its oxide, SrO.
  • SrO reacts with atmospheric CO2 to make SrCO3.
• Strontium oxide is used in cathodic materials for solid oxide fuel cells.

About This Element

Symbol: Sr
Date of Discovery: 1790
Name Origin: Strontian (a Scottish village)
Appearance: silver-white
Discoverer: Adair Crawford
Obtained From: celestite, strontianite

Melting Point: 1050 K
Boiling Point: 1655 K
Density[kg/m3]: 2630
Molar Volume: 33.94 × 10-6 m3/mol
Protons/Electrons: 38
Neutrons: 50
Shell Structure: 2,8,18,8,2
Electron Configuration: [Kr]5s2
Oxidation State: 2
Crystal Structure: cubic

A soft, silvery element that tarnishes in air, strontium is commonly found in nature combined with other compounds, but never as the free element. Strontium reacts vigorously with water and its salts ignite spontaneously in air, imparting a brilliant crimson color often sought after in pyrotechnics. Strontium exists in three allotropic forms with at least 16 stable isotopes. With a half-life of 29 years, 90Sr is one of the best long- lived high-energy beta emitters known. It holds promise for applications in space vehicles and remote weather stations, in which a long-lived, light-weight nuclear electric power source is needed.

Application Notes

• Analysis of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Material with XPS

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