Tungsten

Tungsten • Transition Metal

Primary XPS region: W4f
Overlapping regions: N/A
Binding energies of common chemical states:

Chemical state	Binding energy W4f_7/2
W metal	31.6 eV
WS₂	32.4 eV
WO₂	33.1 eV
WO₃	36.1 eV

Sulfide and oxides charge referenced to adventitious C1s peak at 284.8eV.

Experimental information

N/A

Interpretation of XPS spectra

W4f region has well-separated spin-orbit components (Δ_metel=2.17eV).
- Loss feature for W metal appears at 37eV and 42eV for WO₃. W metal loss feature overlaps WO₃ 4f peaks.
- Peaks in the W4f region have an asymmetric peak shape for tungsten metal.
- Tungsten compounds, such as the oxide, have symmetric W4f peaks.
Use Smart background when sputter profiling films such as WO₃ on W.
- Linear or Shirley background which is suitable for WO₃, for example, will not be suitable for W metal.

General comments

Tungsten oxide is reduced by an argon ion beam to form a continuum of oxidation states.
- Use lowest beam energy possible for depth profiling or cluster source to clean (if available).

About this element

Symbol: W
Date of discovery: 1783
Name origin: Swedish tung sten
Appearance: silver
Discoverer: F. and J. J. de Elhuyar
Obtained from: scheelite, wolframite

Melting point: 3695 K
Boiling point: 5828 K
Density[kg/m³]: 19250
Molar volume: 9.47 × 10^-6 m³/mol
Protons/Electrons: 74
Neutrons: 110
Shell structure: 2,8,18,32,12,2
Electron configuration: [Xe]4f145d46s2
Oxidation state: 6,5,4,3,2
Crystal structure: cubic body centered

Tungsten’s symbol, W, originates from its former name "wolfram". Tungsten is found in ores including wolframite, which was named after Peter Wolfe who first hypothesized the existence of tungsten in wolframite. It is extremely resistant to corrosion and forms a protective oxide when exposed to air. The largest use for tungsten is as tungsten carbide used in cemented carbides (wear-resistant materials used in metal working, mining, petroleum, and construction industries). Because it can be made into very thin wires and due to its high melting point, tungsten is applicable in light bulbs, vacuum tube filaments, and electron guns. Tungsten salts are also used in the tanning industry.