X-ray diffraction (XRD) is a non-destructive technique used for characterization of atomic and molecular structures in crystalline materials. At DTU Energy, we have both diffractometers dedicated to X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and multi-purpose diffractometers that can be used to study both thin films and powdered samples. All our diffractometers use X-ray tubes with copper anodes to generate X-rays. When an X-ray beam impinges a powdered sample it will be diffracted by the lattice planes present in the sample and form a set of diffraction cones. The intensities of the diffraction cones are normally recorded radially as a function of 2θ, forming a one-dimensional diffraction pattern. The diffraction pattern may be used for phase identification, ab initio structure solution, structural refinement, quantitative phase analysis, and determination of microstrain and crystallite sizes.
In addition to acquiring conventional ex situ XRPD patterns, we can also perform in situ / operando experiments in order to follow structural and microstructural changes in the materials over time during the exposure to external stimuli. The figure below shows the changes in the diffraction pattern of a battery material inside a working battery cell.
Our diffractometers also enables us to make different thin film analyses e.g. grazing incidence diffraction and texture analysis (pole figures).
Equipment
- Rigaku Smartlab X-ray diffractometer:9 kW X-ray tube with rotation Cu anode; optics: parallel beam/convergent beam/Bragg-Brentano; Ge (220)x2 monochromator and analyzer, Johansson-type Ge monochromator; detectors: scintillation SC-70, D/teX Ultra 250 (D1); sample stage: Eulerian cradle, X-Y stage, stage for powder samples, stage for capillary samples, 6 position sample changer with spinner, Anton Paar HTK 1200N HT Chamber.
- Bruker D8 Advance X-ray diffractometer: 2.2 kW sealed X-ray tube with Cu anode; optics: Bragg-Brentano / parallel beam; detectors: LYNXEYE (1D), energy-dispersive SOL-X, scintillation counter; sample stage: 9 position sample changer with spinner, Eulerian cradle, mri temperature chamber.
- Rigaku Miniflex 600 X-ray powder diffractometer: Sealed X-ray tube with Cu anode operating at 0.6 kW; optics: Bragg-Brentano; detector: D/teX Ultra 250 (D1); sample stage: stage for powder samples, 6 position sample changer with spinner.
- Panalytical Aeris X-ray powder diffractometer. Routine stand-alone powder diffractometer. CuKa radiation; optics: Bragg Brentano (theta-theta) geometry; position sensitive detector; 6-position sample changer with spinner. Used for powder samples or solids.
Location: B310, R419
Contact
Poul Norby