Role of electronegativity in the qualitative inference of the TOF-SIMS fragment pattern of inorganic compounds

The role of the electronegativity of atoms in inorganic compounds in TOF-SI MS fragmentation is discussed. From a study of approximately 30 inorganic c ompounds-chlorides, oxides, nitrates, and sulfates-a simple rule has been p roposed for the dependence of fragment pattern appearance on the electroneg ativity (electron affinity), which can be easily obtained from handbooks, a nd the valence of positive and negative ions in these compounds. TOF-SIMS m easurements of metal and alloy surfaces, should be corrected for the ioniza tion potentials and/or electronegativities of atoms present in surface cont aminants.