Surface effects in the energy loss near edge structure of different cobalt oxides

The energy loss near edge structure (ELNES) of the O-K and Co-L edges of both Co3O4 and CoO particles were studied. Significant changes between the edge and nearby thicker regions are found for the O-K edge, the Co-L edge, the O/Co atomic ratio, the separation between the prepeaks in the O-K edge, as well as the L3/L2 intensity ratios in the Co-L edge. These reflect the changes in the average oxidation state of the specimen from the edge to nearby thicker regions. These variations originate from a surface layer which dominates the results near the edge of the particles. These variations allow us to infer the surface structure, which indicates that both particles are encapsulated by different non-stoichiometric oxides.