X-ray powder diffractometer

• Subject Area: Chemical Solid State and Surface Research
• Term: Funded in 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 559318975

In this Major Research Instrumentation application, we would like to procure a new X-ray powder diffractometer with high angular resolution for Rietveld refinement and the possibility of temperature-dependent measurements (20 °C - 1550 °C). The Institutes of Inorganic Chemistry at Heinrich Heine University (HHU) Düsseldorf currently have a fully functional large X-ray powder diffractometer (Malvern Panalytical X'Pert Pro, with Cu Kα radiation and Bragg-Brentano geometry, reflection only). In addition, the Chair of Nanoporous and Nanoscale Materials has two ‘bench-top’ X-ray powder diffractometers (Bruker D2 Phaser, Rigaku Miniflex 600, both with Cu Kα radiation and Bragg-Brentano geometry). Both of the first-mentioned powder diffractometers are already showing minor technical difficulties and will no longer be supported by the respective service department in the event of failure. In addition, HHU Düsseldorf does not have a powder diffractometer with a transmission geometry and several X-ray sources that would enable structure refinement from powder data. A replacement device is therefore urgently needed, as this is a central and absolutely essential method for the characterisation of powdery micro- and nanocrystalline compounds in chemistry and pharmacy. The new device will be equipped with both Cu Kα1 and Mo Kα1 radiation to enable Rietveld refinements on the various classes of materials investigated at HHU, which have not yet been established at HHU Düsseldorf. In particular, the junior research group Suta works with classical anor-ganic solid-state compounds that contain heavy elements such as rare earths and therefore absorption losses of the incoming X-rays must be compensated for with a second source for structure refinement from powder data. In addition, several groups are interested in temperature-dependent phase transitions and the behaviour of samples under reaction gas at elevated temperatures, which are not yet accessible with any other powder diffractometer available at HHU. In addition to general research, this device will also be used profitably in teaching and the establishment of solid-state chemistry methods in Düsseldorf.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: Röntgenpulverdiffraktometer
• Instrumentation Group: 4011 Pulverdiffraktometer
• Applicant Institution: Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf
• Leader: Professor Dr. Markus Suta