Soft X-ray spectroscopies, such as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) allow determining the chemical state of a sample’s near-surface region. Biologically relevant interfaces are an area of research that is largely unexplored with these methods, but could potentially benefit immensely from more surface-specific information.
The aim of the project is to use Near Ambient Pressure (NAP) XPS and XAS to explore the interaction of trehalose and water. Trehalose is a sugar formed by two glucose molecules which are linked by an oxygen atom. It is a very effective protective agent allowing plants to survive in harsh environmental conditions such as drought and/or extreme temperatures. The governing mechanism is believed to lie within the nature of the hydrogen bonding between the water and the sugar molecules. XPS and XAS are both very well suited to study hydrogen bonding and their application to this system will provide new insights into the mechanisms of the protective properties of this molecule.
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