Access
The Inorganic Materials Characterisation facility provides training for users to conduct their own Powder X-ray Diffraction measurements and can offer support interpreting their data. There is no sample submission service associated with the IMC facility.
Access is open to all members of the Chemistry department. For persons external to the Chemistry department to use the diffractometers they must first formally become a visitor with an academic supervisor/sponsor, it is usually not possible to gain access on short notice.
Instruments
The facility includes a high-intensity Bruker D8 Advance Eco Cu sourced diffractometer with a fluorescence filtering LYNXEYE XE-T detector, a high intensity Malvern Panalytical X’pert Cu sourced diffractometer with nickel filtration, and a high-resolution Panalytical Empyrean Cu sourced diffractometers with a Ge(111) Johansson monochromator, a Mo sourced Empyrean diffractometer with zirconium filtration for divergent beam equipped with a 12-300 Kelvin PheniX Cryostagefor variable temperature PXRD, and its newest addition is a highly adjustable Rigaku Smartlab 3kW Cu sourced instrument which can additionally be used for Grazing incidence, and high temperature (RT-1000 Celcius) PXRD measurements. The Mo sourced Empyrean can also be used with a focussing mirror for room temperature transmission mode capillary PXRD and PDF measurements. High and low temperature measurements are not part of the standard user training but can be used on request (see booking).
Training
A call for new users to be trained will go out at the start of each academic year, but training can be arranged at any time. Please see the training webpage for more information and email the facility supervisor (or use the contact form) to arrange training.
Booking
Booking time on the diffractometers is now through the chemistry department's online booking system. Details can be found here.
Support
The facility provides in-person support on request and has a number of resources available to help its users understand the principles behind Powder X-ray Diffraction. Users are encouraged to seek support and if there are any resources you believe would be beneficial to multiple users then please contact the facility supervisor to suggest them.
