Powder X-ray Diffractometer Laboratory

History:

X-ray diffraction is a powerful nondestructive method to characterize crystalline materials. It provides information on structures, disorder in atomic sites, quantitative analysis of different phases and textures such as average crystallite size, strain, and crystal defects. Owing to importance of XRD in research activities, this laboratory was established in 1990 and subsequently the X-ray source was upgraded to 18 kW rotating anode in 2006 with grants from UGC, UGC-SAP and DST-SERB

Research areas:

This facility is used as a primary characterization tool in most of the research activities of the department which include

Martensitic and half Heusler compounds

Na-ion conducting battery electrolytes

Multifunctional charge-transfer complexes

Nanomaterials and thin films

Glass and amorphous systems

Resources and facilities:

Rigaku high flux rotating anode X-ray diffractometer with both Cu Kα and Mo Kα radiations.

The Bragg-Brentano geometry (θ-2θ) with a measuring capability in the 2θ range 3 - 145° with a minimum step of 0.002°.

Achievements:

This facility is the main characterization instrument for crystalline materials in the department. It has contributed to the most PhD and MSc projects. It is also used for research by sister departments and affiliated colleges of the university.

Contact persons: Dr. Venkatesha R. Hathwar