X-ray powder diffraction
The Macaulay Land Use Research Institute has a long history of research on minerals, particularly clay minerals, and the Macaulay X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) laboratory, first established in the 1940’s, is a key part of this.
XRPD is used extensively in the Institutes' research programmes on soils and sediments and is also offered as a professional commercial service to external customers in the Environmental, Oil and Gas, Pharmaceutical, Cosmetics and Industrial Minerals industries.
Currently, there are three members of staff involved with XRPD – Dr Steve Hillier, who leads the section, Dr Ian Phillips, and Miss Helen Pendlowski.
The lab has two diffractometers, a Siemens D5000 and a Panalytical X-pert Pro, with associated Bruker and Panalytical software. A wide range of ancillary equipment for sample preparation is also available.
XRPD is a versatile technique that can be used to identify crystalline substances such as minerals. It can also be used to quantify the proportions of different substances when they are present in a mixture.
Ian, Steve and Helen have considerable experience in the application of XRPD to a wide variety of materials, and are always willing to chat about the capabilities of XRPD. Steve Hillier recently won the 2008 Reynolds Cup attesting of the quality of the work performed in the XRPD lab at the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute.
Several XRPD methods, including quantitative methods, are UKAS accredited and the lab operates to ISO 17025. Sample preparation is often the key to reliable quantitative XRPD work and a method known as Spray Drying has been further developed for use in powder diffraction work at the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute.
Contacts
Tel +44 (0) 1224 395356
Tel +44 (0) 1224 395336
Tel +44 (0) 1224 395357
Presentation on the other analytical services we offer (1.4 MB pdf)
Presentation: Review of the capabilities of some of the techniques available in Macaulay Analytical (SEM, EDS, XRPD, FTIR and TIMS) and the materials they are applicable to (5 MB pdf)
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Updated: 23 Jan 2024, Content by:
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