The
X-ray diffraction is the ideal analysis method to obtain informations
about
crystalline
materials
structures
with
an atomic scale
and, as in our case, in minerals and rocks. In
particular, the powder diffraction allows to perform qualitative and
quantitative analysis of the mineralogical
composition of the material investigated.
Rigaku
diffractometer and
diffractogram.
From
the diffractogram obtained we can acquire the following informations:
- from
the peak position we obtain:
- interplanar
distances (Bragg's equation) -> crystallographic cell;
- phase
determination -> qualitative analysis;
- from
peaks intensity:
- intensity
of a phase (structure factor) -> structural analysis (method
Ritveld)
- intensity
of more phases -> quantitative analysis (with/without standard)
- from
peaks width:
- crystallites
size;
- crystallites
deformation.
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