Resolving surface chemical states in XPS analysis of first row transition metals, oxides and hydroxides: Cr, Mn, Fe, Co and Ni

▶ Practical approach to deconvolution of complex X-ray photoelectron 2p spectra of Cr, Mn, Fe, Co and Ni species. ▶ Full disclosure of peak-fitting parameters presented as these are needed to reproduce fitting procedures. ▶ Comparison to quality standard samples provides best opportunity to understand species present. ▶ This approach takes into account peak asymmetries, multiplet splitting, shake-up and plasmon structures. ▶ A significant improvement over single peak binding energies used by databases for these species.