Two models to reproduce experimental inelastic-electron-scattering cross sections determined from reflection-electron-energy-loss spectroscopy (REELS) are considered. The models take into account the momentum transfer in the inelastic processes. Inputs for the models are the dielectric function and the inelastic electron mean free path, which are both taken from previous works. It is found that a model that takes into account the k dependence of the dielectric function and the effect of the field set up by the incoming electron on the outgoing electron gives the best description. Without any adjustable parameters, a reasonable quantitative agreement between experimental and theoretical cross sections is found for Al, Ti, Fe, Cu, Pd, Ag, and Au in a wide energy range (175–10 000 eV). For a backscattered electron, the effective inelastic mean free path is found to depend strongly on the path length. A method to determine the dielectric function from REELS spectra is suggested.

A model to reproduce inelastic electron scattering cross sections as determined from reflection-electron-energy-loss experiments is proposed. This model is an extension of model B from Yubero and Tougaard [Phys. Rev. B 46, 2486 (1992)]. Here, a more general geometry is considered where the incidence and exit angles can be varied. Then, for a given geometry and energy of the primary electrons, the dielectric function of the sample is the only input for the calculations. A systematic study of the behavior of the model is presented for the case of Si and Fe. © 1996 The American Physical Society.

Water electrolysis to obtain hydrogen in combination with intermittent renewable energy resources is an emerging sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. Among the available electrolyzer technologies, anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE) has been paid much attention because of its advantageous behavior compared to other more traditional approaches such as solid oxide electrolyzer cells, and alkaline or proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers. Recently, very promising results have been obtained in the AEMWE technology. This review paper is focused on recent advances in membrane electrode assembly components, paying particular attention to the preparation methods for catalyst coated on gas diffusion layers, which has not been previously reported in the literature for this type of electrolyzers. The most successful methodologies utilized for the preparation of catalysts, including co-precipitation, electrodeposition, sol–gel, hydrothermal, chemical vapor deposition, atomic layer deposition, ion beam sputtering, and magnetron sputtering deposition techniques, have been detailed. Besides a description of these procedures, in this review, we also present a critical appraisal of the efficiency of the water electrolysis carried out with cells fitted with electrodes prepared with these procedures. Based on this analysis, a critical comparison of cell performance is carried out, and future prospects and expected developments of the AEMWE are discussed.

A model for the inelastic-scattering cross section of electrons in XPS experiments is presented. The calculation is analogous to a previous model for reflection-electron energy-loss spectroscopy by Yubero et al. [Phys. Rev. B 53, 9719 (1996)]. The model treats the general case of photoelectron creation at arbitrary depth and with arbitrary exit angle and electron energy. The effect of the core hole as well as surface effects are included in the model. We study systematically the behavior of the model when the energy, exit angle, and depth of origin are varied. Furthermore, the effect of the core hole on the energy loss is investigated in detail. The results are compared with experimental XPS spectra from aluminum metal.