Next-nearest neighbour contributions to P 2p3/2 X-ray photoelectron binding energy shifts of mixed transition-metal phosphides M1-xM′xP with the MnP-type structure

X-ray photoelectron (XPS) and X-ray absorption (XANES) spectroscopic measurements have been made for several series of mixed transition-metal phosphides M1-xM'P-x (Co1-xMnxP, Mn1-xVxP, and Co1-xVxP), which adopt the MnP-type structure (M is more electronegative than M'). The P 2p binding energy shifts displayed by the mixed metal phosphide members do not follow the trend shown by the simple binary phosphides, a deviation which arises from the contribution of next-nearest neighbour effects operating on the primary photoemission site. The magnitude of this contribution can be derived from a simple charge potential model taking the metal electronegativity differences into account. It is suggested that these next-nearest neighbour contributions induce a charge transfer between the two dissimilar metals via metal-metal bonding, which modifies the Madelung potential experienced at the photoemission site. This charge transfer has been confirmed by analysis of the Co 2p XPS spectra as well as the P and Mn K-edge XANES spectra. (C) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.