X-Ray Diffraction and Scattering Facility

The Western Australian X-Ray Diffraction and Scattering Facility (XRDSF) was established in 2002, and currently comprises two X-ray diffractometers, a small-angle x-ray scattering instrument, and associated sample preparation facilities.

Techniques

• Crystalline phase identification and quantification
• Amorphous material determination
• Crystallite size analysis
• Nanoparticle size distribution
• Pore size analysis
• Powder/solid and solution sample preparation available
• Coming late 2018: In situ diffraction capabilities

Small Angle X-Ray Scattering Instrument

The XRDSF houses a Bruker NANOSTAR SAXS instrument comprising an Excillum MetalJet high-intensity X-ray source, in-vacuum specimen chamber, and a two-dimensional photon counting detector, capable of covering a q-range of 0.008 – 1.25 Å-1. The SAXS instrument is also capable of heating samples from room temperature up to 300 °C. The instrument was purchased in 2015 through a LIEF application lead by Prof. Craig Buckley.

D8 ADVANCE XRD

The Bruker D8A is a Bragg-Brentano geometry X-ray Diffractometer (XRD) with a copper X-ray source and an automated 45 position sample changer. It features a LynxEye position sensitive detector that is 200 times faster than a conventional scintillator detector, allowing for the collection of superior data in a short time-frame. This instrument is used for the majority of X-ray diffraction measurements.

D8 DISCOVER XRD

The Bruker D8D is a Bragg-Brentano geometry X-ray Diffractometer (XRD) with a cobalt X-ray source and automated 10 position sample changer. The cobalt source allows this instrument to accurately analyse high iron content samples such as iron ores.

Applications

• Investigation of pore structure in mesoporous materials (metal alloys, silicas, etc.)
• Investigation of gels and phase transitions
• Environmental science
• Size determination of metal nanoparticles suspended in solution
• Protein solution size and shape analysis
• Identification of crystalline phases
• Determination of crystallite size
• Materials science
• Biomedial science