X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy Measurements on Nanocrystalline Materials

X-ray absorption spectroscopy, XAS, is now a well established structural technique that is performed at synchrotron radiation sources. The basic principles have been covered in several books [1-3] and there have been reviews covering specific applications such as biology [4,5], catalysis [6,7], coordination chemistry [8,9] and environmental applications [10]. The main objective of this contribution is to demonstrate the unique information that the technique can provide in the materials chemistry of nanocrystalline systems. In order to attain this objective we use as case studies recent XAS experiments that have been performed on nanocrystalline oxides that are of interest in battery, fuel cell and electrochromic film applications. An additional objective is to give some insight into recent developments in the experimental techniques that can be expected to be in general use within the next few years.