Powder X-ray diffraction has become a routine procedure for the quantification of phases in mixtures. The most common method for this measurement is the Rietveld method, which generally returns the relative weight percentages of the crystalline components within the mixture. However, in many instances, it is also desirable to obtain an estimate of the amorphous content of a sample. There are several methods that may be used for this measurement and their accuracy has been assessed previously with a number of ideal, synthetic mixtures. Many samples, especially in the mineralogy sphere, are far from ideal and contain multiple phases of varying absorption contrast. This creates a microabsorption problem which affects the accuracy of the determination of both the crystalline and amorphous components. This paper assesses commonly used methods of amorphous determination with a series of synthetic samples designed to create a considerable microabsorption problem.

The Bi4Te3 films with well-ordered orientation and microstructure were successfully prepared on SiO2 substrate by a vacuum thermal evaporation deposition technique for the first time. We discussed the effects of evaporation temperature and substrate temperature on the phase and its well-ordered growth of Bi4Te3 films. The formation of Bi4Te3 phase is owing to the differences of the saturated vapor pressure. The thermoelectric transport properties of the Bi4Te3 films were investigated and the (00l)-oriented nanopillars array film has a better electrical transport performance, whose value of PF is 0.032 mWm−1 K−2 at 339 K, approaching twice that of the non-oriented ordinary film. The enhanced electrical properties of Bi4Te3 films could be achieved via the high-crystallinity well-controlled (00l)-oriented nanopillars array.

Polycrystalline samples of Ca2Zn2(V4O14) (I) and Pb2Cd2(V3O10)(VO4) (II) were synthesized using the nitrate–citrate method (I) and conventional solid state reaction (II). The structural refinement based on X-ray powder diffraction data showed that the crystal structure of (I) is characterized by monoclinic symmetry with unit-cell parameters a = 6.8044(1) Å, b = 14.4876(3) Å, c = 11.2367(2) Å, β = 99.647(1)° [space group P21/c (No. 14), Z = 4], and the crystal structure of (II) is triclinic with unit-cell parameters a = 7.03813(6) Å, b = 12.9085(1) Å, c = 6.99961(5) Å, α = 90.7265(5)°, β = 96.3789(5)°, γ = 94.9530(6)°, V = 629.470(8) Å3 [space group P$\bar 1$ (No. 2), Z = 2].

The crystal structure of bretylium tosylate has been solved and refined using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data, and optimized using density functional techniques. Bretylium tosylate crystallizes in space group C2/c (#15) with a = 32.6238(4), b = 12.40353(14), c = 9.93864(12) Å, β = 101.4676(10), V = 3941.39(5) Å3, and Z = 8. The sample exhibited visible decomposition in the X-ray beam. The unusual displacement ellipsoid of the Br atom probably indicates that the decomposition in the beam involves the Br atom. The crystal structure can be viewed as layered parallel to the bc plane. The layers are double, the center consisting of the cation/anion polar interactions and the outer surface of the double layers consists of hydrocarbon interactions. In the absence of normal hydrogen bond donors, the only hydrogen bonds in the bretylium tosylate structure are C–H…O hydrogen bonds. The powder pattern has been submitted to ICDD® for inclusion in the Powder Diffraction File™.

The triplite LiFeSO4F displays both the highest potential ever reported for an Fe-based compound, as well as a comparable specific energy with that of popular LiFePO4. The synthesis is still a challenge because the present approaches are connected with long time, special equipments or organic reagents, etc. In this work, the triplite LiFeSO4F powder was synthesized through an ambient two-step solid-state route. The reaction process and phase purity were analyzed, coupled with structure refinement and electrochemical test.

Thiazolidinones present a wide range of useful applications especially in the biological aspect. Based on these facts, the compound of interest 2-(α-naphthyl)-3-(α-pyridinyl)-1,3-thiazolidine-4-one (C18H14N2OS), was synthesized via multi-component reaction with the aim of obtaining a compound that would show activity against fungi and bacteria. The synthesis of 2-(α-naphthyl)-3-(α-pyridinyl)-1,3-thiazolidine-4-one, was carried out from the respective α-aminopyridine with α-naphthylaldehyde and α-mercaptoacetic acid, under reflux in dry toluene for 8 h, obtaining a solid compound. Molecular characterization of the compound was carried out by infrared spectrometry, mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance. The study of the crystallization and the calculation of the unit-cell constants were determined by the technique of X-ray diffraction of polycrystalline samples. It was determined that the compound crystallizes in a monoclinic system with space group P21/c [No. 14] and the constants of the unit cell a = 11.958 (3), b = 9.675 (4), c = 12.661 (4) Å, β = 96.960° (2), V = 1454.01 (Å3).

Polycrystalline Ca0.925Ce0.075Mn0.9Fe0.1O3 were prepared by sol-gel reaction at 1073 K. The compound was analyzed by a powder X-ray diffraction technique and found to be in single phase. The unit-cell parameters and atomic positions were refined using General Structure Analysis to an orthorhombic structure with space group Pnma (#62) a = 5.281 90 (33) Å, b = 7.4968 (45) Å, and c = 5.302 90 (32) Å.

An improved method to correct observed shift and asymmetric deformation of diffraction peak profile caused by the axial-divergence aberration in Bragg–Brentano geometry is proposed. The method is based on deconvolution–convolution treatment applying scale transform of abscissa, Fourier transform, and cumulant analysis of an analytical model for the axial-divergence aberration. The method has been applied to the powder diffraction data of a standard LaB6 powder (NIST SRM660a) sample, collected with a one-dimensional Si strip detector. The locations, widths and shape of the peaks in the deconvolved–convolved powder diffraction data have been analyzed. The finally obtained whole powder diffraction pattern ranging from 10° to 145° in diffraction angle has been simulated by the Pawley method applying a symmetric Pearson VII peak profile model to each peak with ten background, two peak-shift, three line-width, and two peak-shape parameters, and the Rp value of the best fit has been estimated at 4.4%.

Ceramics of Sr2CaFe2WO9 and Sr2PbFe2TeO9 double perovskites have been prepared in polycrystalline form by solid-state technique, in the air. The crystalline structure was analyzed using X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) at room temperature. Rietveld analysis of XRPD patterns show that both compounds adopt a tetragonal structure with space group I4/m, with unit cell parameters a = 5.5453(1) Å, c = 7.8389(1) Å for Sr2CaFe2WO9, and a = 5.5994(15) Å, c = 7.8979(30) Å for Sr2PbFe2TeO9. A certain degree of anti-site disordering of W and/or Te and Fe on the B –sites have been detected, indicating the presence of a partial amount of W and/or Te at Fe positions and vice versa.

The crystal structure of terazosin hydrochloride dihydrate has been solved and refined using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data, and optimized using density functional techniques. Terazosin hydrochloride dihydrate crystallizes in space group P-1 (#2) with a = 10.01402(4), b = 10.89995(4), c = 11.85357(4) Å, α = 89.5030(3), β = 71.8503(3), γ = 66.5632(2)°, V = 1118.143(8) Å3, and Z = 2. The terazosin cation occurs in an extended conformation. The crystal structure is dominated by hydrogen bonds. The most notable are the O–H···Cl from the water molecules to the chloride anion and N–H···Cl from the protonated ring nitrogen to the chloride. The amino group donates protons to each of the two water molecules. The powder pattern has been submitted to ICDD® for inclusion in the Powder Diffraction File™.

The crystal structure of methylprednisolone acetate form II, C24H32O6, has been solved and refined using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data, and optimized using density functional techniques. Methylprednisolone acetate crystallizes in space group P212121 (#19) with a = 8.17608(2), b = 9.67944(3), c = 26.35176(6) Å, V = 2085.474(6) Å3, and Z = 4. Both hydroxyl groups act as hydrogen bond donors, resulting in a two-dimensional hydrogen bond network in the ab plane. C–H⋯O hydrogen bonds also contribute to the crystal energy. The powder pattern is included in the Powder Diffraction File™ as entry 00-065-1412.

X-ray powder diffraction data for (S)-methyl-2-hexanamido-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propanoate, C16H23NO4, are reported [a = 17.795(4) Å, b = 15.101(1) Å, c = 12.746(3) Å, unit-cell volume V = 3425.51 Å3, Z = 8, and space group P212121]. All measured lines were indexed and are consistent with the P212121 space group. No detectable impurities were observed. The single crystallographic data of the compound are also reported [a = 12.5998(3) Å, b = 17.6856(5) Å, c = 14.6711(5) Å, unit-cell volume V = 3269.25(16) Å3, Z = 8, and space group P212121]. Because of the single-crystal diffraction data were measured at low temperature (110 K), the cell parameters, volume, and calculated density of single-crystal experiment have slight differences with powder diffraction results.

The crystal structure of MoO2(O2)H2O has been solved by analogy with the WO2(O2)H2O structure and refined with synchrotron powder diffraction data obtained from beamline 08B1-1 at the Canadian Light Source. Rietveld refinement, performed with the software package GSAS, yielded monoclinic lattice parameters of a = 12.0417(4) Å, b = 3.87003(14) Å, c = 7.38390(24) Å, and β = 78.0843(11)° (Z = 4, space group P21/n). The structure is composed of double zigzag molybdate chains running parallel to the b-axis. The Rietveld refined structure was compared with density functional theory (DFT) calculations performed with CRYSTAL14, and show strong agreement with the DFT optimized structure.

The crystal structure of the partially ordered vacancy compound Cu2In14/3□4/3Se8, belonging to the system I3-III7-□2-VI12, was analyzed using X-ray powder diffraction data. Several structural models were derived from the structure of the selenium-rich phase β-Cu0.39In1.2Se2 by permuting the cations in the available Wyckoff positions. The refinement of the best model by the Rietveld method in the tetragonal space group P$\overline 4 $ 2c (No 112), with unit-cell parameters a = 5.7487(3) Å, c = 11.5106(6) Å, V = 380.40(3) Å3, led to Rp = 9.0%, Rwp = 9.9%, Rexp = 7.2%, S = 1.4 for 134 independent reflections. This model has the following Wyckoff site atomic distribution: Cu in 2e (0,0,0); In in 2b (½,0,¼), 2d (0,½,¼), and 2f (½,½,0);□ in 2f (½,½,0); Se in 8n (x,y,z).

The crystal structure of lubiprostone has been refined using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data, and optimized using density functional techniques. Lubiprostone crystallizes in space group P1 (#1) with a = 9.02025(2), b = 10.72121(2), c = 12.32817(4) Å, α = 78.5566(2), β = 69.6858(2), γ = 77.3292(2)°, V = 1081.069(3) Å3, and Z = 2. The two independent molecules occur in an extended conformation, aligned approximately along the c-axis. The hydrophobic side chains are adjacent to each other, resulting in layers parallel to the ac plane. The two carboxylic acid groups form an eight-membered ring, resulting in dimers of the two independent molecules. Each hydroxyl group acts as a hydrogen bond donor to the ketone of the fused ring system. The powder pattern is included in the Powder Diffraction File™ as entry 00-066-1622.

In this study, we report the characterization of a 304L stainless steel cylindrical projectile produced by additive manufacturing. The projectile was compressively deformed using a Taylor Anvil Gas Gun, leading to a huge strain gradient along the axis of the deformed cylinder. Spatially resolved neutron diffraction measurements on the HIgh Pressure Preferred Orientation time-of-flight diffractometer (HIPPO) and Spectrometer for Materials Research at Temperature and Stress diffractometer (SMARTS) beamlines at the Los Alamos Neutron Science CEnter (LANSCE) with Rietveld and single-peak analysis were used to quantitatively evaluate the volume fractions of the α, γ, and ε phases as well as residual strain and texture. The texture of the γ phase is consistent with uniaxial compression, while the α texture can be explained by the Kurdjumov–Sachs relationship from the γ texture after deformation. This indicates that the material first deformed in the γ phase and subsequently transformed at larger strains. The ε phase was only found in volumes close to the undeformed material with a texture connected to the γ texture by the Shoji–Nishiyama orientation relationship. This allows us to conclude that the ε phase occurs as an intermediate phase at lower strain, and is superseded by the α phase when strain increases further. We found a proportionality between the root-mean-squared microstrain of the γ phase, dominated by the dislocation density, with the α volume fraction, consistent with strain-induced martensite α formation. Knowledge of the sample volume with the ε phase from the neutron diffraction analysis allowed us to identify the ε phase by electron back scatter diffraction analysis, complementing the neutron diffraction analysis with characterization on the grain level.

The reduction of cis-[CoIII(κ2N,N′-1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione)2Cl2]Cl into the neutral compound cis-[CoII(κ2N,N′-1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione)2Cl2] was observed during developmental studies of new antimalarial drugs. The crystal structure of cis-[CoII(κ2N,N′-1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione)2Cl2] was unveiled by powder X-ray diffraction studies (PXRD). PXRD details, unit cell parameters, and space group for cis-[CoII(κ2N,N′-1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione)2Cl2], C24H12Cl2CoN4O4, are reported [a = 41.4951 (13) Å, b = 8.2768 (2) Å, c = 12.4994 (3) Å, unit cell volume V = 4292.9 (2) Å3, Z = 8, and space group Fdd2]. Infrared spectroscopy features are also discussed.

A new trimetallic compound with formula (NH4)H2Co2O(OH)(MoO4)1.6(WO4)0.4•H2O and lamellar structure was prepared by hydrothermal synthesis. The solid was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric (TGA) and differential thermal (DTA) analyses, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT–IR), laser Raman spectroscopy (LRS), and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AA). Crystallographic studies showed that the solid crystallizes with hexagonal symmetry in space group R-3 m with a = 6.0807 and c = 21.7591 Å.

A two-dimensional (2D) diffraction pattern is an image representing the diffraction intensity distribution over the detected area. For data evaluations of various materials characterization, such as phase identification, stress, texture, and crystal size, this distribution is further converted into the intensity distribution over 2θ or γ angles. For many applications, especially phase analysis and structure refinement, it is crucial for the two-dimensional (2D) pattern to have a large 2θ range sufficient to cover as many diffraction rings as necessary. The 2θ range covered by a 2D detector is determined by the size of the detector active area and the detector distance from the sample. In order to expand the 2θ coverage with a given 2D detector, one may collect several 2D frames at various swing angles and then merge the multiple frames, or scan the 2D detector over the desired 2θ range during the data collection. This paper introduces the geometry and algorithms to produce accurate 2D diffraction patterns with expanded 2θ coverages from multiple images or scanned images.

X-ray powder diffraction data, unit-cell parameters and space group for methoxmetamine (C14H20ClNO2) are reported [a = 6.5768(7) Å, b = 14.0830(10) Å, c = 15.0530(10) Å, β = 90.975(2)°, unit-cell volume V = 1394.0(2) Å3, and Z = 4, and space group P21/n]. All measured lines were indexed and are consistent with the P21/n space group. No detectable impurities were observed.