X-ray Powder Diffractometer

• Subject Area: Chemical Solid State and Surface Research
• Term: Funded in 2014
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 251870292

The design and fabrication of novel functional nanostructures, in order to answer current demands in the development of alternative energy cycles, communication technology, new catalysts, new light sources, etc. is the main center of interest of Pinna’s research group. These objectives can be reached via the introduction of new chemistry and the understanding of the structure-properties relationships in nanostructured materials. These relationships can only be addressed via a precise characterization of the obtained materials. Among the large variety of characterization techniques employed, X-ray diffraction (XRD) is certainly essential for the screening of the fabricated nanostructures, but also for the fine analysis of the microstructural properties (degree of crystallization, atomic positions, crystallite growth and shape, type and quantity of impurities). At present the Institute of Chemistry is only equipped with a low performance, more than 10 years old and extensively used diffractometer in the group of Prof. Kemnitz. With the recruitment of Prof. Pinna in 2012 the need of X-ray diffraction measurements has more than doubled at the Institute of Chemistry, moreover the specifications of the equipment in Prof. Kemnitz is not appropriate for the majority of the measurements needed by Prof. Pinna’s research group. For these reasons, the Humboldt University accepted to participate in the purchase of a diffractometer that would specifically meet the needs of Prof. Pinna’s research group.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: X-ray Powder Diffractometer
• Instrumentation Group: 4011 Pulverdiffraktometer
• Applicant Institution: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
• Leader: Professor Dr. Nicola Pinna