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Bacterial samples are typically freeze dried or cryo-prepared prior to XPS analysis to allow for measurements in ultra-high vacuum (UHV). The sample environment in the near-ambient pressure (NAP) XPS instrument EnviroESCA allows for measurements in up to 15 mbar water vapor, thus, sample preparation is no longer restricted to UHV-compatible techniques. For instance, biofilms grown in medium can be transferred directly from the medium to the measurements chamber, maintaining a humid environment throughout the measurements. Considering the complexity of bacterial samples, sample preparation must be carefully considered in order to obtain meaningful and reproducible results.
In this talk, various strategies for sample preparation of bacteria and biofilms for NAP-XPS measurements will be discussed. Model systems of planktonic bacteria, artificial biofilms resembling the exopolysaccharide matrix and biofilms have been characterised in various conditions. The stability and homogeneity of the samples was assessed by monitoring the C1s core level peak at different sample locations. The quality of the XPS-spectra is also influenced by the gas environment, which will be exemplified by core level spectra of P. Fluorescens acquired in air, water vapor and ultra-high vacuum.
Brominated flame retardants have widely been used for more than 50 years and have been frequently detected in environmental samples as surface water and fish. Leaching from construction products was identified as one possible source. The use of substances as e.g. hexabromocyclododecane (HBCCD) was restricted recently due to increasing concern about negative impacts on the environment and human health caused by the persistent, bio accumulative and toxic properties. New polymeric brominated flame retardants have been developed to replace HBCCD in expanded polystyrene (XPS), which is used for insulation of buildings. It is assumed that the release from the polymer is much smaller in comparison to release of small molecules as HBCCD. The release from the polymer may include monomers or small fragments of different size. Thus, a sum parameter is needed. According to Schlummer et al. it is possible to detect brominated molecules using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy by determination of brome content in XPS extracts. As only small brominated compounds can be extracted it also allows for the differentiation between the two classes of compounds. This method was applied to verify the presence of different kinds of flame retardants in XPS samples and to evaluate the leaching behavior.
Synchrotron XPS in the soft-X-ray regime is suitable for the detection of light elements commonly found in biological samples. Various model systems of biofilms have been developed and characterised at synchrotron- and lab-based facilities. By obtaining the chemical composition at various information depths, the vertical distribution of iodine in an artificial biofilm have been determined.