Magnesium

Magnesium • Alkaline Earth Metal

Primary XPS region: Mg1s
Overlapping regions: Cl LMM
Binding energies of common chemical states:

Chemical state	Binding energy Mg1s
Mg metal	1303 eV
Mg native oxide	1304.5 eV
MgCO₃	1305 eV

Carbonate charge referenced to adventitious C1s peak at 284.8eV, oxide referenced to Mg metal.

Experimental information

In the presence of a high concentration of chlorine, the Mg1s peak will be strongly overlapped by the Cl LMM auger peak.
- It may preferable to acquire Mg2s and/or Mg2p regions instead of the Mg1s peak.

Interpretation of XPS spectra

Mg1s peak often accompanied by Auger peaks between 300eV-390eV.
- If magnesium is buried (under carbon, for example), Mg KLL Auger peaks may be observed even if Mg1s is not (due to difference in electron kinetic energy).
- The principal Mg KLL Auger peak (binding energy 300-306eV) has large chemical shifts and may be useful for chemical state analysis.

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‹Alkaline Earth Metal Elements

Table of Elements

Ca2p and Mg KLL peaks can be easily mistaken.
- Check for presence of Ca2s peak for confirmation of calcium.
- Also check for spin-orbit splitting on the suspected Ca2p peak (Ca2p_3/2 and Ca2p_1/2 components split by 3.4eV, with an intensity ratio of 2:1).

About this element

Symbol: Mg
Date of discovery: 1808
Name origin: Magnesia
Appearance: grayish
Discoverer: Sir Humphrey Davy
Obtained from: sea water

Melting point: 650 K
Boiling point: 1090 K
Density[kg/m³]: 1.738
Molar volume: 14.00 × 10^-6 m³/mol
Protons/Electrons: 12
Neutrons: 12
Shell structure: 2,8,2
Electron configuration: [Ne]3s2
Oxidation state: 2
Crystal structure: hexagonal

Magnesium was present in the water of a certain farmer in Epsom, England, where it was found to heal rashes and other skin problems – thus the name Epsom salts. Magnesium is an abundant element and is essential to the cells of all known living organisms. As plants use magnesium in the production of chlorophylls, most green vegetables, such as spinach, are good sources of magnesium. Since magnesium is a lightweight metal, about 2/3 the weight of aluminum, automobile manufacturers use it to produce various car parts. A racing Corvette was built with magnesium body panels and for many years Porsche used a magnesium alloy in its engine blocks.

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