What is it about?

Pair Distribution Function (PDF) analysis is a universal technique for revealing the atomic structure of solids (whether crystalline or amorphous) and even liquids. Although it has gained recognition over the past decade, this method is still limited to a narrow range of applications since it requires specialized setups, such as dedicated beamlines of syncrotrons or neutron reactors. We have developed a technique and software to acquire a respectable PDF domestically by using single-crystal diffractometers, which are available in any crystallographic laboratory.

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Why is it important?

The discovery of X-ray diffraction and the development of X-ray analysis made it feasible to investigate the structure of crystalline materials. If the substance is not crystalline, what then? We have provided the scientific community with a free tool to appreciate the potential of the PDF analysis for solving their specific problems right in the laboratory without any barriers.

Perspectives

I hope that the availability of the PDF method will make it possible to use it for the analysis of any materials - catalysts, nanoparticles, metal-organic frameworks, coordination polymers, glasses, solutions and liquids. Everything that was previously not available for research due to low crystallinity and required obtaining beamtime at the synchrotron, becomes available for analysis here and now right in your laboratory.

Dr. Dmitry Tsymbarenko
Lomonosov Moscow State University

Read the Original

This page is a summary of: Quick and robust PDF data acquisition using a laboratory single-crystal X-ray diffractometer for study of polynuclear lanthanide complexes in solid form and in solution, Journal of Applied Crystallography, July 2022, International Union of Crystallography,
DOI: 10.1107/s1600576722005878.
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