The oxidation of the PbS(001) surface with O2 and air studied with photoelectron spectroscopy and ab initio modeling

► Oxidation behavior of the PbS (001) surface was studied by SR XPS and modeling. ► Spectral features can be related to the attachment of 1-4 oxygen atoms to S atoms. ► Oxidation proceeds via dissociation of the oxygen molecules Sulfate particles are the final oxidation product.