A detailed XPS study of several oxides of vanadium is reported in this
work, in an attempt to characterize clearly the surface of these oxid
es. Several parameters, such as the FWHM of the V2p(3/2) and Ols XPS p
eaks, their shape and binding energy difference, have been utilized. T
he characterization is extended to these oxides following different sa
mple treatments. The effect of the presence or absence of adventitious
carbon on the behaviour of the V2O5 Sample is investigated when the s
ample is heated in UHV. It is found that the X-ray beam has some effec
t on the properties of both crystalline and polycrystalline V2O5 cover
ed with Cd.