XAS is a unique structural and chemical characterization technique , which provides atom-specific information by using the X-ray photoelectric effect and the quantum mechanical wave nature of the electron to determine the local structure. XAS is essentially the energydependent modulation of an atom's X-ray absorption probability due to the chemical and physical state of the atom . XANES is typically utilized to determine the oxidation state and coordination environment of a specific element of interest . Representative XANES spectra for metallic Ni (fcc), and Ni 2+ (Tetragonal, P42/mnm) are shown in Fig. . The absorption edge for Ni 2+ is shifted to higher energy due to the increase in the Ni atom valence. The difference in the fine structure above the absorption edge is a direct result of the different crystallographic structures and coordination environments.