X-ray design constraints for in situ electrochemical cells: importance of window material, electrolyte and X-ray wavelength

The need to calculate X-ray absorption losses through window materials and electrolytes in electrochemical cells used for ill situ X-ray studies is hi ghlighted. Calculations of the loss of beam intensity through Mylar windows of various thicknesses and at different wavelengths are carried out. Other window materials, such as polyethylene, polyimide (Kapton),polymethylmetha crylate (Perspex), polycarbonate (Lexan) and polyamide (Kevlar), are consid ered. Linear absorption coefficients and loss of intensity through differen t thicknesses of these materials at the Cu K alpha wavelength are considere d. Calculations of loss of intensity for a typical experimental case involv ing a Mylar cell window and a 1.029 M H2SO4 electrolyte are presented.