A new ternary phase, Er2Cu10.9Ga6.1, has been found in the Er-Cu-Ga phase diagram. X-ray powder diffraction data were successfully refined based on a rhombohedral Th2Zn17 structure type (space group R-3m, No. 166) with cell parameters a=8.6627(1) Å, c=12.6824(2) Å, and Z=3. Er2Cu10.9Ga6.1 exhibits a paramagnetic Curie-Weiss behaviour down to 2 K with a trivalent character of Er atoms.

Silver K edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy of films containing silver behenate (AgBeh) in the unprocessed, fully processed, and step-processed states has been performed. The results of the EXAFS analysis indicate that the intensity for the real-space peak for the Ag-O distance (∼2.3 Å) decreases while the real-space peak for the Ag-Ag distance (∼2.9 Å) grows with increasing thermal processing of the film. The changes observed in the real-space EXAFS signal indicate the growth of metallic silver at the expense of AgBeh. The X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES) portion of the signal shows that the absorption edge position varies stepwise, with unprocessed films and pure AgBeh having an edge location at 25 506 eV, films processed from steps 1 through 10 have an absorption edge at 25 508 eV, and the fully processed film has an edge location at 25 512 eV.

Experimental X-ray powder diffraction data, unit-cell parameters, and space group for levetiracetam, C8H14N2O2, are reported [a = 9.197(5) Å, b = 8.006(0) Å, c = 6.289(3) Å, β = 108.457(3)°, unit-cell volume V = 439.261 Å3, Z = 2, and space group P21]. All measured lines were indexed and are consistent with the P21 space group. No detectable impurity was observed.

An indexed powder diffraction pattern and related crystallographic data are reported for secnidazole [C7H11N3O3, IUPAC name: 1-(2-hydroxypropyl)-2-methyl-5-nitroimidazole], which is not represented in the Powder Diffraction File. The unit cell dimensions were determined from diffractometer methods, using monochromatic CuKα1 radiation, and evaluated by indexing programs. The monoclinic cell found for 1-(2-hydroxypropyl)-2-methyl-5-nitroimidazole is: a=12.426(2) Å, b=12.173(2) Å, c=6.656(1) Å, β=100.19(1)°, Z=4, space group P21/c (No. 14), Dx=1.271 g/cm3. Crystallization of an anhydrous powdered sample of secnidazole in a buffer solution of Na2B4O7 and NaOH (pH 10.4) resulted in crystals that contained water of crystallization, as shown by single crystal structure determination. Secnidazole exhibits crystal pseudopolymorphism, because the experimental powder pattern of the anhydrous form and the calculated pattern from the structure determination of the hydrate form are similar. Observed powder diffraction data for this drug were interpreted with the aid of a calculated pattern based upon the crystal structure determined. The cell found by TREOR90P for anhydrous secnidazole is in good agreement with that of the hemihydrate form determined from single crystal diffraction: a=12.424(2) Å, b=12.187(2) Å, c=6.662(1) Å, β=100.9(1)°; Z=4.

The crystal structure of disilver(1+) pentacyanonitrosylferrate(2−) was studied by X-ray powder diffraction. IR and Mössbauer spectroscopies, thermogravimetric analysis and density measurements were also carried out. This compound is monoclinic, and its lattice parameters are: a=10.986(3) Å, b=6.4080(10) Å, c=7.4545(19) Å, α=δ=90°, β=102.54°(2).

DISVAR93 is a collection of programs devised to process XRPD patterns with the aim of determining the parameters of systematic instrumentation and sample effects. These effects have an influence on data uncertainty and also accuracy of the adopted models describing diffraction phenomena. Such modeling is carried out through the mathematical X-ray powder-diffraction theory, while parameter optimization is achieved by using the additive property of X2 and constraining the models to converge simultaneously to the same minimum in a restrained Hilbert's space. The package has been designed to allow both user interaction as well as automatic linking of programs managed by one main menu and offer several options to satisfy individual user requirements.

The structure of Ba7Cl2F12 has been determined ab initio from conventional X-ray powder diffraction data by the “heavy atom” method. The cell is hexagonal (space group P6¯, Z=1), with a=10.6373(2) Å and c=4.1724(2) Å. Refinement of 38 parameters by the Rietveld method, using 278 reflections, leads to cRwp=0.173, cRp=0.135, and RB=0.054. The structure has common characteristics with that of the other BaF2-rich fluorochloride, Ba12Cl5F19. In both phases Ba2+ ions lie in tricapped trigonal prisms formed by nine halide ions, and Cl− ions occupy the center of trigonal prisms of Ba2+ ions. F− ions are located in cationic tetrahedra or square pyramids.

Crystal data for p-bromoiodobenzene (pBIB) at 293 K and a powder diffraction pattern are reported. The unit cell is monoclinic with S.G. = P21/a and Z = 2. The cell parameters are: a = 16.196(6) Å, b = 5.872 (3) Å, c = 4.233 (2) Å, β = 113.86 (2)°.

A polycrystalline sample of YbCoO3 was prepared using a water-soluble complex method at relatively low temperatures. Common chelating ligands such as citric acid were employed for the synthesis of complex-based precursors, followed by thermal decomposition of the precursors at high temperatures. X-ray diffraction data were collected and the crystal structure was refined by the Rietveld method. The structure of YbCoO3 can be described as a sesquioxide C-M2O3-like structure with space group Ia-3 and unit-cell parameter a=10.4470 (2). The Yb3+ and the Co3+ cations are found to preferentially occupy the two nonequivalent 8d and 24d sites, respectively. The two independent atoms Yb/Co have octahedral coordination; however, the degrees of distortion of their coordination polyhedron are different. The relationship between the title compound and the orthorhombic Perovskite structure of YbCoO3 reported in the literature is established.

The temperature dependence of the cell parameters is given for Bi2Mo3O12, Bi2Mo2O9, γ-Bi2MoO6 and γ'-Bi2MoO6, and the volume expansion coefficient is derived. A description is given of a high-temperature diffractometer (HTD) for temperatures up to about 1600°C in controlled atmospheres.

Nanocrystalline powders of Fe and W were prepared by mechanical working in a highenergy Spex 8000 mixer/mill. The diffraction patterns were recorded with Co Kα radiation and the line profiles were subjected to a Fourier analysis. The size 〈D〉 of the coherently diffracting domains (x-ray particle size) and the root-mean square strains 〈ε2L〉1/2 were determined with the Warren-Averbach method. In addition, the integral breadths were evaluated and corrected for instrumental broadening assuming Cauchy line profiles. In order to separate particle size and strains, the corrected breadths β(s) = βcosθ/λ were plotted as a function of s = 2sinθ/λ, i.e., β(s) =(1/D) + 2ε s, where D = 〈D2/〈D〉 and ε is a strain averaged over the domain size D.

X-ray fluorescence analysis indicated that the W powders contained an iron and chromium contamination due to the abrasion of the stainless steel balls reaching a value of 24 at% Fe+Cr after 20h of milling. Since W is elastically isotropic, all available (hkl) reflections can be used in the Warren-Averbach and line breaddi analyses. After 20 h of milling, the W powder exhibited a particle size 〈D〉 = 35 Å and a strain 〈ε2〉1/2 = 0.52% at L = 30 Å. The integral breadths yielded the particle size D1 = 70 Å and the strain ε = 0.38%. in the case of Fe powder, also milled for 20 h, the (110) - (220) pair of reflections was used to calculate the particle size and strains. The Fourier analysis yielded the values 〈D〉 = 105 Å and 〈ε2〉1/2 = 0.59% at L = 30 Å. The corresponding integral breadth values are D1 = 280 Å and ε1 = 0.7%. The sum of the particle size Fourier coefficients is equal to the integral breadth particle size D1 = 125 Å, which is very close to value 〈D〉 = 105 Å indicating that the particle or domain sizes have a very narrow size distribution.

A detailed study has been made of the intensities of the L, M, and N X-ray spectra for wavelengths in the region from 2-85 Å. Some of the lines of these spectra involve energy levels which are gradually being depopulated with decrease in atomic number, and this leads to a progressive simplification of the spectra as the wavelength increases. Spectra have also been obtained from several compounds involving these elements in different valence states. Differences in relative intensities have been observed for these compounds, but because of a lack of accurate information about absorption, it is impossible as yet to give such results an adequate interpretation.

X-ray diffraction patterns using continuous radiation from copper and tungsten target x-ray tubes and detected with a Si(Li) energy analysis system are presented. Errors caused by a misaligned diffractometer and x-ray penetration into the sample are shown to be more difficult to correct and larger in magnitude than errors arising from energy calibration. All these errors can be minimized by mixing a standard with the unknown sample.

The energy resolution of the detector influences the breadth of the diffraction peaks more strongly than the standard slit systems available with commercial diffractometers. Thus, to reduce the recording time and maintain the same standard deviation for the data, one should increase the sizes of the front and receiving slits including the Soller slits. X-ray energy diffraction patterns can be recorded with standard deviations less than +0.001 Å in the d spacing with only 200 sec measurement time using the standard diffractometer slit system. Copper targets are probably as useful as tungsten even though the continuous intensity is about three times.less. Copper has fewer interfering characteristic lines, and its use permits convenient conversion to normal θ scanning diffractometer operation.

Instrumentation for soft X-ray research is briefly described. Preliminary results are shown for several dispersing systems which have been found useful in the 10 to 60 Å region. Results from single crystals of Group 1A salts of phthalic acid are discussed and intensity measurements are reported. Other organic single crystals, such as long-chain derivatives of adipic acid are evaluated, along with films of organic compounds prepared by the Blodgètt-Langmuir technique. The efficiencies of the dispersing elements mentioned above are compared with commercial crystals such as mica, gypsum, ADP, and EDDT. Performance of detectors for soft X-rays is shown for fiow-proportional and Geiger counters, a solid state silicon barrier detector, and a windowless resistance strip magnetic electron multiplier. The relative efficiencies of several photocathode materials for the latter are discussed. The design for a scintillation counter sensitive over a wide energy range is discussed and preliminary results using the counter in the region 1-15 Å are shown.

A procedure is described for making self absorption corrections for x-ray fluorescence analysis of ambient air aerosols which are collected in two size ranges with a dichotomous sampler. Calculations for fine particles are based on the assumption of a uniform layer of accumulated deposit which has an exponentially decreasing depth profile within a membrane filter. Coarse particles are treated as spheres with a log normal mass distribution which is subject to modification by the sampling device. An average attenuation and the associated uncertainty is deduced for coarse particles by considering a wide variety of possible chemical compositions.

The spray drying of powders is a method of forming spherical or torroidal shaped agglomerates. A relatively simple method is given for preparing spray dried samples of the quantities used in x-ray diffraction analysis. This technique is shown to minimize preferred orientation effects on diffraction intensities from materials of widely differing symmetry and crystallite habit.

A two-crystal spectrometer that makes full use of conventional diffractometet: or spectrometer motions has been constructed so that it can be easily attached to a commercial instrument. The requisite degree of parallelism of the two crystalrotation axes is maintained by keeping both parallel to a single ground surface. Special alignment aids have been constructed to facilitate the rapid alignment of the instrument, which can be operated manually in 1″ intervals or used for automatic scanning in steps of 0.01°. Some guide lines for comparing the relative performance of spectrometers in X-ray absorption spectroscopy are suggested.

X-ray powder diffraction data, unit-cell parameters, and space group for the holmium nitrate pentahydrate Ho(NO3)3•5H2O are reported [a = 6.642(8) Å, b = 9.55(2) Å, c = 10.56(2) Å, α = 63.672(1)°, β = 84.622(2)°, γ = 76.085(2)°, unit-cell volume V = 582,74 Å3, Z = 2, space group P-1]. Ho(NO3)3•5H2O is isostructural with ytrium nitrate pentahydrate (PDF 01-75-2104) (ICDD, 2011). All measured lines were indexed and are consistent with the P-1 space group. No detectable impurities were observed.

In the “double-Voigt” approach, an exact Voigt function describes both size- and strainbroadened profiles. The lattice strain is defined in terms of physically credible mean-square strain averageid over a distance in the diffracting domains. Analysis of Fourier coefficients in a harmonic approximation for strain coefficients leads to the Warren-Averbach method for the separation of size and strain contributions to diffraction line broadening. The model is introduced in the Rietveld refinement program in the foliowing way: Line widths are modeled with only four parameters in the isotropic case. Varied parameters are both surface- and volumeweighted domain sizes and root-mean-square strains averaged over two distances. Refined parameters determine the physically broadened Voigt line profile. Instrumental Voigt line profile parameters are added to obtain the observed (Voigt) line profile. To speed computation, the corresponding pseudo-Voigt function is calculated and used as a fitting function in refinement. This approach allows for both fast computer code and accurate modeling in terms of physically identifiable parameters.