The effects of X-ray irradiation and temperature on the formation and stability of chemical species on enargite surfaces during XPS

► Electrochemical oxidation of enargite produces Cu(II) surface species. ► X-ray exposure reduces the Cu(II) species. ► Exposure time and temperature affect the degree of change. ► Sample cooling reduces the photoreduction effect. ► Photoreduction can affect species analysis of the enargite surface using XPS.