This paper introduces a new method to determine the crystalline fraction in samples containing amorphous phases from experimental X-ray diffraction data. Computer generated codes, one for each measured data point, are used to interpret the pattern as to where diffraction peaks exist and what is the angular breadth of each peak's intensity above background. Two parameters are defined that are used to identify the position and intensity of the crystalline phase diffraction peaks. For mold fluxes used in continuous casting, the crystalline fraction of solid slag film is a key factor that can affect heat transfer between solidified shell and mold. In this work, a new method was developed to determine the crystallinity of solid slag films. This method does not require structure parameters or other references, and results can be obtained directly by reading a text file with diffraction data. Results indicate that, there is a positive correlation between crystalline fraction and integrated intensities corresponding to crystalline phases. The selection of integration interval does not have much effect on results. To simplify computations, 20–45°2θ was considered as an appropriate interval.

A novel concept of immobilization of light water nuclear reactor fuel reprocessing waste effluent through interaction with sodium zirconium phosphate (NZP) has been established. It was found that a large number of hazardous cations could be loaded in the NZP-based matrix without significant change of three-dimensional framework structure. Starting from the raw powder diffraction data of polycrystalline solid phases, crystal structure of substituted NZP phases has been investigated using the General Structure Analysis System (GSAS) package. Cation(s) substituted NZP phases crystallize in rhombohedral symmetry (space group R-3c and Z = 6). Powder diffraction data have been subjected to Rietveld refinement to reach satisfactory structural convergence of R-factors. Unit cell parameters, inter atomic distances, bond angles, reflecting planes (h, k, l), structure factors, polyhedral (ZrO6 and PO4) distortion, and particle size have been reported. PO4 stretching and bending vibrations in the Infra red (IR) region have been assigned. SEM and EDAX analysis provide analytical evidence of fixation of cations in the matrix.

Single crystals and powder samples of Ba4ZnTi11O27 and Ba2ZnTi5O13 have been synthesized and studied using single-crystal X-ray precession photographs and X-ray powder diffraction. Unit cell dimensions were calculated from a least-squares refinement with a final maximum Δ2θ of 0.05°. Both phases were found to have monoclinic cells, space group C2/m. The refined lattice parameters for the Ba4ZnTi11O27 compound are a= 19.8687(8) Å, b=11.4674(5) Å, c=9.9184(4) Å, β= 109.223(4)°, and Z=4. The refined lattice parameters for the Ba2ZnTi5O13 compound are a= 15.2822(7) Å, b=3.8977(1) Å, c=9.1398(3) Å, β=98.769(4)°, and Z=2.

The evolution of internal stresses in oxide scales growing on polycrystalline Fe3Al alloy in atmospheric air at 700 °C was determined using in situ energy-dispersive synchrotron X-ray diffraction. Ex situ texture analyses were performed after 5 h of oxidation at 700 °C. Under these conditions, the oxide-scale thickness, as determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, lies between 80 and 100 nm. The main phase present in the oxide scales is α-Al2O3, with minor quantities of metastable θ-Al2O3 detected in the first minutes of oxidation, as well as α-Fe2O3. α-Al2O3 grows with a weak (0001) fiber texture in the normal direction. During the initial stages of oxidation the scale develops, increasing levels of compressive stresses which later evolve to a steady state condition situated around −300 MPa.

The crystal structure of an isotropic, single phase, Ti-rich schorlomite garnet, ideally Ca3Ti4+ 2(Fe3+ 2Si)O12, from Magnet Cove, Arkansas was refined with the Rietveld method, space group $Ia\overline 3 d$ , and monochromatic synchrotron high-resolution powder X-ray diffraction data. Electron-microprobe analysis gave an average composition {Ca2.92Na0.04Mn2+ 0.03Mg0.01}Σ3[Ti1.04Fe3+ 0.46Mg0.18Fe2+ 0.16Zr4+ 0.13V3+ 0.04]Σ2(Si2.21Fe3+ 0.71Al0.07)Σ3O12, and corresponds to the general garnet formula of [8] X 3 [6] Y 2 [4] Z 3 [4]O12. Schorlomite is the dominant component, but the composition contains significant amounts (>15 mol.%) of andradite, Ca3(Fe3+ 2)Si3O12, morimotoite, Ca3(Ti4+Fe2+)Si3O12, and morimotoite-(Mg), Ca3(Ti4+Mg)Si3O12. The crystal structure model was refined well using isotropic and anisotropic displacement parameters. Using isotropic displacement parameters, the χ 2 and R (F 2) Rietveld refinement values are 1.148 and 0.0742, respectively. The unit-cell parameter, a = 12.18599(1) (Å), is large for a natural schorlomite for which complete structural data are available. The bond distances are average <Ca–O> = 2.4461, Ti–O = 2.0085(5), Si–O = 1.7022(5) Å, and site occupancy factors (sofs) for Ca(sof) = 0.963(1), Ti(sof) = 1.045(1), and Si(sof) = 1.150(2). Comparison of schorlomite data from the type locality in Magnet Cove with morimotoite from Ice River, Canada and the type locality in Japan show that they are quite similar and cast doubts as to morimotoite being different from schorlomite.

Powder diffraction data and refined unit cell parameters of two palladium borides were determined. For Pd3B (space group Pnma; Fe3C type) it was found that a=0.54602(3) nm, b=0.75596(4) nm, c=0.48417(4) nm and for Pd5B2 (space group C2/c; Mn5C2 type) a=1.27759(12) nm, b=0.49497(5) nm, c=0.54704(4) nm, β=97.049(7)°. Further, it was shown that the position of the principal scattering peak of the amorphous Pd2B fulfils the Nagel–Tauc criterion about glass forming ability.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) certifies a suite of Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) to address specific aspects of the performance of X-ray powder diffraction instruments. This report describes SRM 1878b, the third generation of this powder diffraction SRM. SRM 1878b is intended for use in the preparation of calibration standards for the quantitative analyses of α-quartz by X-ray powder diffraction in accordance to National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Analytical Method 7500, or equivalent. A unit of SRM 1878b consists of approximately 5 g of α-quartz powder bottled in an argon atmosphere. It is certified with respect to crystalline phase purity, or amorphous phase content, and lattice parameter. Neutron powder diffraction, both time of flight and constant wavelength, was used to certify the phase purity using SRM 676a as an internal standard. A NIST-built diffractometer, incorporating many advanced design features was used for certification measurements for lattice parameters.

In this investigation, the ability of Rietveld refinement method was used to simultaneously refine the structure and microstructure and evaluate the linear defects of cubic crystals. To do this, the basis of Stephans theory, about the anisotropic strain broadening, was developed and the values of dislocation density as well as the fraction of dislocation types were estimated. The reliability of this procedure was checked by selecting four different nanocrystaslline samples and evaluating the microstructure of these materials. Finally, the results were compared with those extracted from the whole powder pattern modeling method. Good agreement was achieved between the results of two methods.

In this work, SnS1−xSex ternary nanobelts were synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method without the assistance of surfactants. The structure, morphology, microstructure, compositions, chemical valences, phonon modes, and optical band gaps of the SnS1−xSex nanobelts were characterized in detail. The results indicate that the SnS1−xSex nanobelts have uniform one-dimensional morphology and are single crystals with high crystallinity. Se is incorporated into the SnS lattice to substitute for S-forming ternary SnS1−xSex alloy. With the increase of Se doping concentration, the optical band gaps of the nanobelts gradually decrease from 1.15 to 1.01 eV, confirming the tunable optical property achieved here.

The crystal structure of paliperidone palmitate has been solved and refined using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data, and optimized using density functional techniques. Paliperidone palmitate crystallizes in space group P21/c (#14) with a = 34.415 40(35), b = 10.093 49(7), c = 10.904 92(9) Å, β = 94.3917(9)°, V = 3776.94(6) Å3, and Z = 4. The conformation of the paliperidone fragment differs from that of the parent compound. The palmitate chain exhibits a slight twist close to the ester group. Several C–H⋅⋅⋅O hydrogen bonds contribute to the crystal packing, which is dominated by van der Waals interactions. The powder pattern is included in the Powder Diffraction File™ as entry 00-066-1614.

A new hydrate of magnesium chromate is synthesized by quenching aqueous solutions of MgCrO4 in liquid nitrogen. MgCrO4·11H2O is isostructural with the rare mineral meridianiite (MgSO4·11H2O) being triclinic, , Z = 2, with unit-cell parameters a = 6.811 33(8) Å, b = 6.958 39(9) Å, c = 17.3850(2) Å, α = 87.920(1)°, β = 89.480(1)°, γ = 62.772(1)°, and V = 732.17(1) Å3 at −15 °C. The difference in unit-cell parameters between SO4- and CrO4-bearing species is only partially accounted for by the difference in S–O and Cr–O bond lengths; the remainder of the difference (over 90% in the cell volume) is attributed to weakening of the interpolyhedral hydrogen-bond network.

The crystal structure of titanium-tin tellurium oxide Sn0.59Ti0.41Te3O8 has been determined using X-ray powder diffraction techniques. At room temperature, the title compound crystallizes in cubic space group Ia-3, with lattice parameter a=11.05515(6) Å. Rietveld refinement of the structure led to final confidence factors Rp=0.0395 and Rwp=0.0577. The structure of Sn0.59Ti0.41Te3O8 consists of isolated Ti/SnO6-octahedra slightly deformed in the a direction. The TeO4E [E=lone pair of Te(IV) atoms] groups are located between the octahedra ensuring the stability of the structure by Ti/Sn-O-Te bonding contacts. Only one peak in thermal behavior was detected for this compound at 488 K by differential scanning calorimetry experiment. An IR spectroscopic study is employed as a means to obtain preliminary structural information and shows the presence of the Ti/SnO6 and TeO4E groups. This result is later confirmed by X-ray diffraction studies.

X-ray powder diffraction data of BaFCl are reported for 2θ from 5° to 150° at 25 °C. Strain-free and dendrite-free single crystals of BaFCl, grown by flux method with KCl as flux, were powdered for recording this data. BaFCl is tetragonal, space group P4/nmm, with a=4.3964(1) Å and c=7.2315(3) Å.

The X-ray powder pattern of a partially combusted coal product has been separated into its diffraction component (caused by die crystalline minerals present in the sample) and its amorphous scattering component which is due to the fixed carbon retained in the sample. Analysis of the atompair intensity of the amorphous scattering component indicates that the molecular scatterer(s) in the fixed carbon fraction are similar, at least in short range structural details, to those in an amorphous carbon black sample which was prepared by high temperature combustion of polynuclear aromatic materials.

An Sb3Nb3O13 [Sb(III)2Sb(v)Nb(v)3O13] phase having a defect pyrochlore structure has been prepared by heating a sol–gel derived powder in oxygen. X-ray powder diffraction results indicate that Sb3Nb3O13 has a face-centered cubic structure, S.G. Fd3m(227), with a refined unit cell parameter a =10.4965(1) Å, calculated density Dx=4.893, four molecules per unit cell (Z), and a calculated figure of merit SS/FOM F30=92.4(0.009,38).

Tacrine hydrochloride monohydrate, velnacrine maleate and suronacrine maleate have been investigated by means of X-ray powder diffraction. The unit cell dimensions, determined by single-crystal diffraction data, agree well with those of powder diffraction analysis, which is characterized by good figures of merit for the three drugs. Present work assures that single-crystals are good representatives of the commercial powdered samples, since experimental and simulated (from structure determination) powder patterns are practically identical.

Characterization of some crystalline species present in atmospheric particulate matter can be investigated by an X-ray diffractometric technique. According to the analytical strategy, filtering media suitable for collecting airborne particles must be selected. In order to recognize the X-ray diffraction patterns and consequently the inherent analytical interference of filtering media, a systematic X-ray diffraction evaluation of several substrates was performed. Although artifact formation during ambient sampling can occur on quartz and glass fiber filters, these filters were also included in the diffractometric characterization. In this work, commercial filters were thermally treated and submitted to X-ray diffraction scanning. Results have shown pronounced variations in the diffractometric profiles of each thermally treated substrate. The selection criteria for choosing the filtering media was established by considering their chemical and physical properties and also the crystalline species to be collected on them.

Crystal structures of types II and III chlorothalonil, 2,4,5,6-tetrachloro-1,3-dicyanobenzene, (C8Cl4N2) were solved by applying Monte Carlo simulated annealing techniques to X-ray powder diffraction data and refined using the Rietveld method. Both types of chlorothalonil crystallize in monoclinic symmetry (space group P21 and two molecules per unit cell). Lattice parameters are: a=8.1615(18) Å, b=9.4191(19) Å, c=6.4728(14) Å, β=93.7307(64)° and V=497.8 Å3 for type II, and a=8.6003(10) Å, b=9.2382(11) Å, c=6.3024(7) Å, β=96.2152(60)° and V=498.5 Å3 for type III. The structures of both types of chlorothalonil are stacked by two coplanar molecular sheets paralleled to the b-axis. The adjacent two paralleled molecules in type II are on the same plane, while those in type III are on two different parallel planes.

Evidence is provided that the tridymite component observed in the X-ray diffraction patterns of some sewage sludge ashes (SSAs) should not be interpreted as the tridymite modification of SiO2 but as the tridymite form of AlPO4. This proof is based on a combined X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and Mossbauer spectroscopy investigation of two SSAs produced at two fluidized bed incineration facilities, located in different municipalities and operated differently. The structural and chemical characterization was carried out on the ‘as received’ SSA samples as well as on the residues of these two SSAs pretreated by leaching in citric acid. In addition, direct proof is presented that the tridymite form of AlPO4 does crystallize from X-ray amorphous precursors under conditions that mimic the huge heating rate and short retention time (just seconds at T ≈ 850 °C) typical for fluidized bed incinerators.

Na4CrNi(PO4)3 orthophosphate powder was prepared from acid solutions of NiO, Na2CO3 and aqueous solutions of Cr(NO3)3.9H2O, and (NH4)2HPO4 at a final temperature of 750 °C. The hexagonal unit cell parameters were determined to be ah≈8.789 Å and ch≈21.481 Å in space group R3¯c. These parameters were compared to those of Na4AA′(PO4)3 (AA′=CrMg, CrCo, TiNa, ZrNa). The linear variations of these parameters versus the mean A cation radius (rAA′) are consistent with the atomic distribution found for the structure of Na4NiCr(PO4)3. The ah and ch parameters are functions of the An+ ion size.