Transcript Slide 1
CHEM 146C_Experiment #3
Identification of Crystal Structures
by Powder X-ray Diffraction (PXRD)
Yat Li
Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
University of California, Santa Cruz
Objective
In this laboratory experiment, we will learn:
1. The principle of X-ray powder diffraction, idea of unit cell and use of
Bragg equation
2. A modern chemical analysis technique to identify a known and
unknown sample (fingerprinting a solid)
Characterization of solids
How to characterize solids:
Diffraction, Microscopy, Spectroscopic techniques
X-ray diffraction, neutron diffraction and electron diffraction
Structure:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Single vs. Polycrystalline structure
Crystal structure (unit cell, dimensions)
Crystal defect (vs. molecular structure)
Impurities (concentration and distribution)
Surface structure (compositional inhomogeneities)
Generation of X-rays
X-ray are produced when high energy charged particles (e.g. 30 kV)
collide with matter. X-ray radiation has fixed transition energy.
X-ray wavelength
White
radiation
Fixed transition energy (e.g. copper metal as
target):
2p 1s
3p 1s
Cu Ka
Cu Kb
Moseley’s Law
Cut off
Peak intensity ∝ rate of transition
l = K/(Z-s)2
1.5418 Å
1.3922 Å
Monochromatic X-ray radiation
Absorption of X-rays on passing through materials depends on the
atomic number of the elements
Be is the best window, while Pb is a good shielding materials
White radiation and unwanted Kb lines can be filtered
Diffraction of light
Diffraction of light by an optical grating
AB = asinf
Separation of lines should be slightly larger
than the wavelength of light
In phase: AB = l, 2l, 3l,…. nl
nl = asinf
Diffraction of X-rays
Crystal with repeating structure
1D optical grating:
3D crystal structure:
Optical grating
nl = a sinf
nl = a1 sinf1
nl = a2 sinf2
Laue equations
nl = a3 sinf3
Interatomic distance ~2-3 Å, which is slightly larger than the wavelength of
X-ray e.g. Cu Ka
Bragg’s Law
Regard crystals as built up in layers or planes such that each acts as
a semi-transparent mirror
The angle of reflection is equal to the angle of incidence!
Lattice planes
Lattice planes, are defined purely from the shape and dimensions of the unit
cell. They are entirely imaginary and simply provide a reference grid to which
the atoms in the crystal structure may be referred.
The lattice planes are separated by the interplanar d-spacing
Miller indices
Lattice planes are labeled by assigning three numbers known as Miller indices
to each set
Intersection:
a/2, b, c/3
Miller indices:
(213)
(hkl)
Set of equivalent planes
• Identify that plane which is adjacent to the one that passes through the
origin
• Find the intersection of this plane on the three axes of the cell
• Take reciprocals of these fractions
Miller indices
Examples:
Debye-Scherrer method
Sample: Powder
Detector: Film
S/2pR = 4q/360
Each set of planes (unique d-spacing) gives it’s own cone of radiation. d-spacing can
be obtained.
X-ray Diffractometer
Single crystal X-ray diffractometer
Powder XRD
Qualitative identification of compounds
1. The existence of crystalline compounds or phases (not chemical
composition)
2. Peak position (d-spacing) and intensity (pattern)
3. Each crystalline phase has a characteristic powder pattern which can be
used as a fingerprint for identification process
Powder Diffraction File (International Centre for Diffraction Data, USA)
Fingerprint powder pattern
What factors determine the powder pattern:
•The size and shape of the unit cell
•The atomic number and position of the atom in the cell
High symmetry (cubic) structure may have similar pattern