This article presents an XPS study of Ce 3d emission spectra dominated by atomic multiplet effects in core level spectroscopy of rare earth compounds (Ce oxides). Core level spectroscopy has been used to study the electronic states of Ce 3d _5/2 and Ce 3d _3/2 levels in Ce ⁴⁺ and Ce ³⁺ states. The well‐resolved components of Ce 3d _5/2 and Ce 3d _3/2 spin‐orbit components, due to various final states (4f ⁰ , 4f ¹ , 4f ² configurations), were determined on 3d XPS spectra from commercial powders (CeO ₂ , CePO ₄ ). These results were used to study the 3d spin‐orbit component of mixed cerium‐titanium oxide. This compound was prepared by co‐melting commercial powders of CeO ₂ and TiO ₂ at 1800 K under air using a solar furnace with a flux density of 16 MW.m ⁻² at the focal point of the parabolic concentrator. The mixed oxide Ce ₂ Ti ₂ O ₇ was produced and contained Ce(III) species which may be reactive with water to give back the initial metal oxides and generate hydrogen, a valuable product considered as a promising energy carrier in the future in replacement of oil. The 3d photoemission spectra revealed the presence of mixed components attributed to mainly Ce(III) and Ce(IV) species. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Chemical bonding and local order around the different atoms of thick amorphous ${\mathrm{SiC}}_x{\mathrm{N}}_y$ deposits $\text{[0.03⩽x/(x+y)}$ ⩽0.67] prepared with chemical vapor deposition at 1000–1200 °C using ${\mathrm{TMS–NH}}_{\mathrm{3}}{\mathrm{–H}}_{\mathrm{2}}$ have been investigated using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR), electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) and ${}^{29}\mathrm{Si}$ magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry (MAS-NMR). XPS analyses have shown that the main bonds are Si–C, Si–N, and C–C, and have suggested the existence of C–N bonds. According to Raman analyses and complementary FT-IR absorption of thin films, the coatings are nonhydrogenated. Si, C and N atomic chemical environments are more complicated than in a mixture of pure ${\mathrm{Si}}_{\mathrm{3}}{\mathrm{N}}_{\mathrm{4}}\mathrm{–SiC}$ phases. The examination of the $\mathrm{Si}{\mathrm{\hspace{0.17em}KL}}_{\text{2,3}}{L}_{\text{2,3}}$ line shapes recorded by XPS have allowed one to state the existence of $\mathrm{Si}({\mathrm{C}}_{\text{4−n}}{\mathrm{N}}_n)$ units. Mixed coordination shells around silicon have been confirmed by EELS analyses. Additionally, FT-IR reflection analyses have proved that Si is both bonded with N and C. Indirect indication has been obtained owing to the ${}^{29}\mathrm{Si}$ MAS-NMR analyses of powders. Raman analyses have been conclusive to assume that C–C bonds correspond to a mixed ${\mathrm{sp}}^3{\mathrm{-sp}}^2$ carbon configuration linked with $\mathrm{Si}({\mathrm{C}}_{\text{4−n}}{\mathrm{N}}_n)$ tetrahedra with $\text{0⩽n⩽4.}$