🚀 go-pugleaf

Problem Definition :
Penetration of molten bath and Sodium in  cathodically polarized Carbon samples which are exposed to 
molten cryolite + Aluminum Fluoride + Alumina + Calcium Fluoride,is under investigation.
Molten bath penetrates the carbon matrix through voids and pores after Sodium is 
absorbed in.
It is reason to believe that some compounds such as AlN formed during the penetration process
enhance the wettability of carbon and thus lead to faster penetration and deterioration of carbon.
XPS/ Auger analysis of wall surfaces where frozen salt has filled the voids/pores
can determine whether certain compounds at these surfaces exist.
The samples are cylindrical; Breaking or cutting the samples will result in rough surfaces which
need polishing befire Auger/XPS analysis. However polishing destroys or contaminates the
frozen salt in the pores.
Do you have any experience with samples preparation and analysis by means of XPS
or Auger spectroscopy?
My E-mail adress is : ramins@hitra.kjemi.unit.no
Post adress : Institute for Uorganiskkjemi
              NTH, 7034 Trondheim Norway.