A series of iron-doped lead titanate PbTi(1−x)FexO(3−δ) samples in the x = 0–1 composition range was prepared using sol–gel synthesis at a calcination temperature of 700 °C. The room temperature CuKα powder diffraction data collected from x = 0, 0.005, 0.01, 0.025, 0.05, 0.075, 0.1, 0.125, 0.15, 0.175, 0.2, and 0.3 samples were analyzed using the Rietveld method. Magnetoplumbite (PbFe12O19) secondary phase formation was observed at compositions x = 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, and 1. Fe-composition dependent decrease of tetragonal distortion has been observed. According to Vegard's law, the B-site iron solubility limit in the lead titanate host was found to be approximately 10 mol% (x = 0.1). Homogeneous distribution of dopants below the solubility limit was evidenced by the linear behavior of unit-cell parameters. The absence of a cubic phase and the persistence of distorted oxygen octahedra indicated the existence of ferroelectric properties even at the x = 0.3 composition. Beyond x = 0.3, the P4mm tetragonal model was determined to be invalid possibly because of oxygen defect driven structural changes, mainly tilting Fe-polyhedra.

In an effort to study an alternative approach to make graphene from graphene oxide (GO), exposure of GO to high-energy X-ray radiation has been performed. X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) have been used to characterize GO before and after irradiation. Results indicate that GO exposed to high-energy radiation is converted to an amorphous carbon phase that is conductive.

Eighty specimens of cellulosic materials were analyzed over a period of several years to study the diffraction characteristics resulting from polymorphism, crystallinity, and chemical substitution. The aim of the study was to produce and verify the quality of reference data useful for the diffraction analyses of cellulosic materials. These reference data can be used for material identification, polymorphism, and crystallinity measurements. Overall 13 new references have been characterized for publication in the Powder Diffraction File (PDF) and several others are in the process of publication.

The c-oriented La1.8Sr0.2CuO4 and La1.9Sr0.1CuO4 bilayer films were deposited on (001) SrTiO3 single-crystal substrates by using the pulsed laser deposition technique. The effects of deposition parameters on the quality of thin films were investigated. The crystal structures and surface morphologies were characterized by means of XRD and SEM, and the results showed that an as-prepared film deposited with the optimized parameters has high quality. Then La1.8Sr0.2CuO4/La1.9Sr0.1CuO4 bilayers structure was prepared using the optimized parameters for each corresponding layer, and the electrical transport properties were measured. Interesting rectifying properties were observed at both room and low temperatures, and the rectifying ratio at low temperature was found to be much higher than that at room temperature.

Two polymorphs of Holmium molybdate, known as β'-phase and γ-phase, were prepared by solid state reaction with different thermal treatments. These polycrystalline samples have been studied for the first time by X-ray thermodiffractometry from room temperature up to 1300 K. We found that the initial β'-phase undergoes a transition to a β-phase and then to a γ-phase. The γ (hydrated)-phase, turns to the γ (dehydrated)-phase and then to the β-phase. Each sequence involves a reversible and an irreversible phase transition for Ho2(MoO4)3. Both polymorphs have remarkable physical properties like nonlinear optics, ferroelectricity and negative thermal expansion. We have calculated the linear expansion coefficients of both phases. We have obtained a positive coefficient for the β'-phase and a negative one for the γ-phase. Moreover, we have made a comparison of the obtained coefficients with previous results for other rare earth molybdates.

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.

Phase diagrams and X-ray powder diffraction patterns provide critical information for thermoelectric (TE) research. We have conducted a survey of phase diagrams and powder diffraction patterns of TE systems in the ASM (American Society for Metals) Metal/Alloy database and ICDD (International Centre for Diffraction Data) PDF (Powder Diffraction File), respectively, for their availability and crystal systems. In this report, we focus on TE materials that have the half-Heusler XYZ structure, and related compounds, based on a set of materials selection rules. We found that among 306 potential XYZ compounds that we have surveyed, 234 have powder diffraction patterns in the PDF, but only 28 have phase diagram information, and 67 do not have any crystallographic information. Among the 234 phases with powder patterns, 84 were reported to have cubic F43m half-Heusler type structure, and the remainder have hexagonal, orthorhombic or other structure types. Some XYZ compounds have both cubic and hexagonal phases. This information will provide the basis for future activities for the improvement of the databases. These activities include filling the missing gaps in both phase equilibria database and the PDF, as well as adding TE and pertinent physical properties to the PDF.

Powder diffraction data are presented for Ivabradine hydrochloride (pure and solvated forms), a drug marketed worldwide for symptomatic treatment of angina pectoris and inappropriate sinus tachycardia. [Ivrabradine: 3-[3-({[(7S)-3,4-dimethoxy bicyclo[4.2.0]octa-1,3,5-trien-7-yl]methyl}(methyl)amino)propyl]-7,8-dimethoxy-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepin-2-one]. Many are the different (polymorphic or solvated) phases claimed in the scientific or forensic literature. We have here prepared monophasic samples of six different ivabradine hydrochloride species. Exposure to water vapours, at room temperature, of the anhydrous δ-d form generated pure powders of the tetrahydrate form (the β-form). Two different anhydrous forms (β-d and α) were prepared by gentle, or extensive, heating of the β and δ-d forms, respectively. Acetonitrile and acetone solvates (hereafter called δ1- and δ2-forms) were obtained by precipitation methods from concentrated solutions. Diffraction data were collected on laboratory equipment with Ni-filtered CuKα radiation; cell parameters and space groups were determined from ab initio indexing procedures using the SVD algorithm.

Ni nanowire arrays were prepared by electroplating using anodic aluminum oxide templates, and a magnetic field was applied during the electroplating process. The effects of an applied magnetic field on the texture and magnetic properties of the Ni nanowire arrays were studied. The results show that the (110) texture is formed in the nanowires prepared in different magnetic fields. However, the applied magnetic field during electroplating can affect the texture degree, and there exists a suitable magnetic field for small diffusion degree of the (110) texture. On the basis of texture characterization, the effects of applied magnetic field on the magnetic properties of Ni nanowire arrays are discussed.

Polycrystalline Sr3Sm2(BO3)4 borate has been synthesized through a solid-state reaction, and the title compound is stable in air and water. Its crystal structure was investigated from powder X-ray diffraction data using the Rietveld method. The fundamental building units of the crystal Sr3Sm2(BO3)4 are isolated BO3 anionic groups, distorted Sm–O polyhedra, and irregular Sr–O polyhedra, with the crystal structure isostructural to Sr3Nd2(BO3)4. The infrared spectrum of Sr3Sm2(BO3)4 has been measured, which is consistent with the crystallographic study. According to diffuse reflection measurement of Sr3Sm2(BO3)4 powders, the absorption edge is in the deep UV range and UV-vis transmittance is very high. Phosphor Sr3Sm2(BO3)4 exhibits an orange-red emission.

Nanostructuring is one of the effective approaches to lower the thermal conductivity of thermoelectric materials for improving its figure of merit. The nano-sized uniform skutterudite Co1−xNixSb3 (x = 0, 0.05, 0.075, 0.125, 0.15, and 0.25) thermoelectric powders were synthesized in triethylene glycol solution by using CoCl2, NiCl2, and SbCl3 as precursors and NaBH4 as the reductant. Different synthesis conditions were studied to pursue pure and uniform skutterudite CoSb3 powders. The powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscope, and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. Experimental results show that a Ni-doped skutterudite Co1−xNixSb3 single phase was obtained at 290 °C for 12 h. The powders are spherical, small, and uniform. As x increases from 0 to 0.25, the unit-cell parameter a increases from 0.9044 to 0.9065 nm and the particle size increases from 10 to 30 nm.

The martensitic transformation behavior of the meta-stable austenite phase in low alloyed TRIP steels has been studied in situ using high-energy X-ray diffraction during deformation. The stability of austenite has been studied at different length scales during tensile tests and at variable temperatures down to 153 K. A powder diffraction analysis has been performed to correlate the macroscopic behavior of the material to the observed changes in the volume fraction of the phases. Our results show that at lower temperatures the deformation induced austenite transformation is significantly enhanced and extends over a wider deformation range, resulting in a higher elongation at fracture. To monitor the austenite behavior at the level of an individual grain a high-resolution far-field detector was used. Sub-grains have been observed in austenite prior to transformation.

Structures of [Cd(C2H8N2)Cl2]n(1) and [Cd(C2H8N2)Br2]n(2) were solved from powder diffraction data. Compound (1) crystallizes in the space group Pbam (No. 55), a = 9.9021(7) Å, b = 7.8186(6) Å, c = 4.0705(3) Å, V = 315.13(3) Å3, Z = 2. (2) is isostructural: space group Pbam (No. 55), a = 10.405(2) Å, b = 7.8634(8) Å, c = 4.2079(5) Å, V = 344.28(6) Å3, Z = 2. The investigated compounds are examples of two-dimensional hybrid coordination polymers, in which neighboring metal centers are bridged via both organic and inorganic moieties: ethylenediamine molecules and halide anions. Both crystal structures were solved ab initio from powder data using direct methods.

Chitin is a natural polysaccharide found in many diverse phyla and almost always occurs in association with protein. In this study the chitin polymer is characterized by X-ray diffraction from its naturally occurring unprocessed state through various steps used in the purification procedure. In addition, the effect of different treatments on the final product is examined. These studies show that native chitin has a characteristic diffraction pattern that is not altered by the mild treatments used to isolate relatively pure chitin. Chitins prepared from different sources exhibit the same characteristic diffraction pattern. In addition, chitin films prepared using non-degrading solvents retain most of the characteristic patterns. De-acylation of chitin to produce chitosan results in large changes to the diffraction pattern. To a very limited extent features present in the diffraction pattern of native chitin can be recovered by re-acylation of chitosan.

Twenty-seven scapolite samples from various localities and with compositions between Me 6–93 were obtained using electron microprobe analysis (EMPA). Their unit-cell parameters were obtained using synchrotron high-resolution powder X-ray diffraction (HRPXRD) data and Rietveld structure refinements using space group P42/n. The EMPA data show the well-known discontinuity at Me 75. In addition, the unit-cell parameters, especially c, show a discontinuity at Me 75 (=five Al atoms per formula unit, apfu), ideally NaCa3[Al5Si7O24](CO3), where the scapolite solid solution is divided into two (Me% = [Ca/(Ca + Na + K)] × 100). A maximum c parameter value occurs at Me 37.5 (=four Al apfu ideally), where complete Al–Si, Na–Ca, and Cl–CO3 order occurs. The unit-cell volume, V, varies smoothly with Me% and Al apfu across the series.

The NaYF4:Yb3+,Tb3+ (x Yb: 0.20, x Tb: 0.04) materials were prepared by the co-precipitation method. The as-prepared material was washed with and without water and thereafter annealed at 500 °C. This resulted in materials with moderate (with water) and very high (without water) up-conversion luminescence intensity. The structural details causing the differences in luminescence intensity were investigated at room temperature with X-ray powder diffraction and Rietveld analyses. All materials crystallized in the hexagonal form (P63/m, No. 176, Z: 1.5) with a composition very close to stoichimetric. The local structural details revealed microstrains in the rare earth sublattice that were relaxed for the material with very high up-conversion luminescence intensity thus decreasing energy losses and enhancing up-conversion.

We conducted in-situ high-temperature neutron and X-ray diffraction studies on tetragonal PbTiO3. Using a combination of Rietveld analysis and Maximum Entropy Method, the nuclear and charge density distributions were determined as a function of temperature up to 460 °C. The ionic states obtained from charge density distributions reveal that the covalency of Pb–O2 bonds gradually weakens with increasing temperature. The spontaneous polarizations calculated from the contributions of ionic state, ionic displacement, and nuclear polarization, are in good agreement with the experimental measurements. This method provides an effective approach to determine spontaneous polarizations in multiferroics with high-current leakage and low resistance.

The stereoselective synthesis of 7-fluoro-2-exo-(2-methylpropen-1-yl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,4-epoxybenzo[b]azepine was developed by intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of the nitrone derived from the corresponding 2-allyl-4-fluoro-N-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)aniline. The X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) pattern for the new compound was analyzed and found to crystallize in a monoclinic system with space group P21/m (No. 11) and refined unit-cell parameters a = 11.655(5) Å, b = 5.850(2) Å, c = 18.314(4) Å, β = 104.27(3) and V = 1210.1 (6) Å3.

A new Matlab-based software suite called Tilt-A-Whirl has been applied to XRD data from textured gold films electro-deposited onto nickel substrates. The software routines facilitate phase identification, texture analysis via pole figure visualization, and macrostrain determination. The use of principal component analysis with multivariate curve resolution (PCA/MCR) revealed the extraction of texture components. The unusual hardness properties of one Au film (deposited from a 30% gold depleted BDT-200 bath) were found to be dependent on the (210) out-of-plane preferred orientation of the polycrystalline gold film. The progressive nucleation of Au crystallites during electro-plating has been tied to improved hardness properties of this film.

The structure and X-ray patterns of two series of barium lanthanide cobaltates, namely, Ba4Sr2R2Co4O15 (R = La, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, and Dy), and Ba5SrR2Co4O15 (R = La, Nd, Sm, Eu, and Gd) have been determined. These compounds crystallize in the space group P63mc; the unit-cell parameters of Ba4Sr2R2Co4O15 (R from La to Dy) decrease from a = 11.6128(2) Å to 11. 5266(9) Å, c = 6.869 03(11) to 6. 7630(5) Å, and V = 802.23(3) Å3 to 778.17(15) Å3, respectively. In the Ba5SrR2Co4O15 series (R = La to Gd), the unit-cell parameters decrease from a = 11.735 44(14) Å to 11.619 79(12) Å, c = 6.942 89 (14) Å to 6.836 52(8) Å, and V = 828.08(3) Å3 to 799.40(2) Å3. In the general structure of (Ba6−xSrx)R2Co4O15, there are four Co ions per formula unit occupying one CoO6 octahedral and three CoO4 tetrahedral units. Through corner-sharing of these polyhedra, a larger Co4O15 unit is formed. Sr2+ ions adopt both octahedral and 8-fold coordination environment. R3+ ions adopt 8-fold coordination (mixed site with Sr), while the larger Ba2+ ions assume both 10- and 11-fold coordination environments. The samples were found to be insulators. X-ray diffraction patterns of these samples have been determined and submitted to the Powder Diffraction File (PDF).