Cu-paddle-wheel-based Cu3(BTC)2 (nicknamed Cu-BTC, where BTC ≡ benzene 1,3,5-tricarboxylate) is a metal organic framework (MOF) compound that adopts a zeolite-like topology. We have determined the pore-size distribution using the Gelb and Gubbins technique, the microstructure using small-angle neutron scattering and (ultra) small-angle X-ray scattering (USAXS\SAXS) techniques, and X-ray powder diffraction reference patterns for both dehydrated d-Cu-BTC [Cu3(C9H3O6)2] and hydrated h-Cu-BTC [Cu3(C9H3O6)2(H2O)6.96] using the Rietveld refinement technique. Both samples were confirmed to be cubic Fm $\bar 3$ m (no. 225), with lattice parameters of a = 26.279 19(3) Å, V = 18 148.31(6) Å3 for d-Cu-BTC, and a = 26.3103(11) Å, and V = 18 213(2) Å3 for h-Cu-BTC. The structure of d-Cu-BTC contains three main pores of which the diameters are approximately, in decreasing order, 12.6, 10.6, and 5.0 Å. The free volume for d-Cu-BTC is approximately (71.85 ± 0.05)% of the total volume and is reduced to approximately (61.33 ± 0.03)% for the h-Cu-BTC structure. The d-Cu-BTC phase undergoes microstructural changes when exposed to moisture in air. The reference X-ray powder patterns for these two materials have been determined for inclusion in the Powder Diffraction File.

The microstructural characteristics of mechanically milled (MM) iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) powders are investigated by means of various X-ray crystallography analysis methods. The conventional Williamson–Hall and Warren–Averbach methods are used besides the modified Williamson–Hall, the modified Warren–Averbach, and the Variance approaches, in proper cases. Afterward, the obtained crystallite size and dislocation density are used to calculate the stored energy in the nanostructured powders. For this aim, a new geometrical approach is developed which can consider three-dimensional crystallites and the thickness of boundaries between them. Moreover, the released energy during annealing of MM Cu and Fe powders is measured using differential scanning calorimetry. The results of line broadening analysis and geometrical modelling are combined to the calorimetry of a room temperature aged Cu powder. In this way, the thickness of grain boundary in the nanostructured Cu is calculated to be 1.6 nm.

Building materials are very complex samples of worldwide importance; hence quantitative knowledge of their mineralogical composition is necessary to predict performances. Rietveld quantitative phase analysis (RQPA) allows a direct measurement of the crystalline phase contents of cements. We highlight in this paper the use of laboratory X-ray powder diffraction (LXRPD) employing high-energy radiation, molybdenum (Mo), for attaining the RQPA of cements. Firstly, we evaluate the accuracy of RQPA employing a commercial calcium sulfoaluminate clinker with gypsum. In addition to MoKα 1 and MoKα 1,2 radiations, Cu and synchrotron patterns are also analyzed for the sake of comparison. Secondly, the assessment of the accuracy of RQPA results obtained using different radiations (synchrotron, Mo, and Cu) and geometries (reflection and transmission) is performed by analyzing two well-known commercial samples. As expected, for LXRPD data, accuracy in the RQPA results improves as the irradiated volume increases. Finally, three very complex aged hydrated cements have been analyzed using MoKα1-LXRPD and Synchrotron-XRPD. The main overall outcome of this work is the benefit for RQPA of using strictly monochromatic MoKα 1 radiation. Best laboratory results arise from MoKα 1 data as the effective tested volume is much increased but peak overlapping is not swelled.

An X-ray diffractometer (XRD) was modified to a low-power total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) spectrometer. This was realized by reducing the XRD tube power (3 kW) down to 10 W by a Spellman power supply. The present spectrometer consisted of a waveguide slit, Si-PIN detector, a goniometer and two Z-axis stages that were set on a diffractometer guide rail. This unit was easy in assembly. The first measurements with this spectrometer were presented. The minimum detection limit for Cr was estimated to be a few nanograms or at the level of 1013 atoms cm−2.

Crystal structure of BaxSr3–xMgSi2O8 has been determined by Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The solid solution series have glaserite-type layered structures made of corner-sharing SiO4 tetrahedra and MgO6 octahedra. Ba2+ and Sr2+ ions are sandwiched in between the layers. Raman spectroscopy has found that structural symmetry changes at x = 0.5 and 2.5. Structural refinement by the Rietveld method has clarified that the symmetry changes occur among C2 (Z = 4), P${\bar 3}$m1 (Z = 1), and P${\bar 3}$ (Z = 3). They originate in SiO4 tilting caused by size mismatch between alkali–earth cations and their site spaces. For x ≤ 0.5, SiO4 tilting occur every other interlayer space, whereas for x ≥ 2.5, all the SiO4 tilt.

The crystal structure of folic acid dihydrate has been solved and refined using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data, and optimized using density functional techniques. Folic acid dihydrate crystallizes in space group P212121 (#19) with a = 7.275 78(3), b = 8.632 17(4), c = 32.417 19(22) Å, V = 2035.985(18) Å3, and Z = 4. The structure is dominated by a three-dimensional network of hydrogen bonds. The dicarboxylic acid side chain occurs in a bent conformation, helping explain the ability of folate derivatives to coordinate metal cations. The powder pattern has been submitted to ICDD for inclusion in future releases of the Powder Diffraction File™.

The structure of La2LiTaO6 has been derived from the powder X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) data. La2LiTaO6 is monoclinic with unit-cell parameters a = 5.621(1) Å, b = 5.776(1) Å, c = 7.954(2) Å, β = 90.34(2)°, space group P21/n (14), and Z = 2. The structure of La2LiTaO6 is an ordered perovskite with alternating Li and Ta octahedra. A new set of powder XRD data (d-spacing and intensity listing) has been generated to replace entry 00-039-0897 within the Powder Diffraction File. The newly elucidated structural data for La2LiTaO6 shall facilitate quantitative analysis of this impurity phase which is often observed during synthesis of the fast-ion conductor phase Li5La3Ta2O12.

The crystal structure of new Tb3CuAl3Ge2 quaternary compound was studied by the Rietveld method from powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) data. The Tb3CuAl3Ge2 compound crystallized in the hexagonal Y3NiAl3Ge2-type structure with space group P-62m (no. 189) and lattice parameters a = 7.0041(2) Å, c = 4.1775(1) Å, V = 177.48 Å3. There is only one formula in each unit cell, Z = 1, and the density of Tb3CuAl3Ge2 is ρx = 7.1696 g cm−3. The reliability factors characterizing the Rietveld refinement results are Rp = 6.43%, Rwp = 8.65%, RB = 4.81%, and RF = 4.09%, respectively. The powder XRD data of Tb3CuAl3Ge2 were presented and the reliability of indexation is F30 = 120.9(0.0073, 34).

Synchrotron powder diffraction data from beamline 08B1-1 at the Canadian Light Source have been used to examine the structure of curcumin, a prime component of the Asian spice turmeric. Rigid body refinement, with the application of restraints on distances and angles, was performed with the Rietveld software package GSAS yielding monoclinic lattice parameters of a = 12.6967(1) Å, b = 7.198 52(3) Å, c = 19.9533(2) Å, and β = 95.1241(6)° (C21H20O6, Z = 4, and space group P2/n). The refinement was compared with a recent single-crystal structure and ab initio results obtained with density functional theory calculations.

X-ray powder diffraction data, unit-cell parameters and space group for gemcitabine, C9H11F2N3O4, are reported [a = 17.641(8) Å, b = 6.985(1) Å, c = 18.653(2) Å, α = β = γ = 90°, unit-cell volume V = 2298.61 Å3, Z = 8 and space group Pmna]. All measured lines were indexed and are consistent with the Pmna space group. No detectable impurities were observed.

X-ray powder diffraction data, unit-cell parameters, and space group for methylene bis(thiocyanate) (C3H2N2S2) are reported [a = 6.6888(4) Å, b = 8.0616(6) Å, c = 11.089(1) Å, β = 105.33(1), Z = 4, unit-cell volume V = 576.68(7) Å3, with M20 = 56.0 and F30 = 43.8 (0.0079, 87)]. All measured lines were indexed and are consistent with the monoclinic I2/c space group.