An unconventional method for measuring the TcL3-edge of technetium compounds
TcL3-edge XANES spectra have been collected on powder samples of SrTcO3(octahedral Tc4+) and NH4TcO4(tetrahedral Tc7+) immobilized in an epoxy resin. Features in the TcL3-edge XANES spectra are compared with the pre-edge feature of the TcK-edge as well as other 4dtransition metalL3-edges. Evidence of crystal field splitting is obvious in the TcL3-edge, which is sensitive to the coordination number and oxidation state of the Tc cation. The TcL3absorption edge energy difference between SrTcO3(Tc4+) and NH4TcO4(Tc7+) shows that the energy shift at the TcL3-edge is an effective tool for studying changes in the oxidation states of technetium compounds. The TcL3-edge spectra are compared with those obtained from Mo and Ru oxide standards with various oxidation states and coordination environments. Most importantly, fitting the TcL3-edge to component peaks can provide direct evidence of crystal field splitting that cannot be obtained from the TcK-edge.