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X-ray Diffraction Facility

X-ray Diffraction Facility

_mg_1248-15.jpgThe X-ray diffraction suite at the University of Warwick is a Research Technology Platform (RTP) offering state-of-the-art X-ray scattering services, primarily for materials research. The suite is headed by the academic director, Professor Richard Walton, and the facility manager, Dr David Walker with support from our SAXS specialist, Dr Steven Huband, and our senior technician, Dave Hammond. It was founded by Professor Pam Thomas. Our team are highly knowledgeable and have multi-disciplined expertise. For further information and any enquiries regarding the use of these X-ray facilities for industrial work please contact the facilities manager Dr David Walker or visit the Warwick Scientific Services website.

The X-ray RTP is located on the 3rd floor of the new Materials & Analytical Science (MAS) building and is well equipped for the study of the structure of a wide variety of materials including single-crystals, epitaxial thin-films, polycrystalline layers, ceramics and powders under both ambient and non-ambient conditions. The suite currently houses five powder diffractometers, two high resolution diffractometers and two single-crystal diffractometers for small molecule structural solution. A powerful Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) system for elemental analysis from B - U.

A dedicated Small Angle X-ray Scattering system (SAXS) is available for measurements of polymers and other nanomaterials in a variety of sample forms, included liquid dispersed nanoparticles, gels, powders and thin films (GISAXS).

The X-ray suite is available for contract work by industrial users at competitive rates. A wide range of services are available, including powder diffraction for phase identification, structural determination, accurate lattice parameter determination, in-situ diffraction, stress & texture measurements, SAXS, XRF, single-crystal structural solution and more. A variety of forms of sample can be accommodated from large single crystals, liquid dispersed nano-particles, thin-films, and solids to ceramics and powders.

For a virtual tour of the facility, please see our video below:

News

Case Study: Developing coatings for spacecraft equipment

The X-ray Diffraction facility worked with Teer Coatings Ltd, a specialist manufacturer of surface coatings, on their project to understand the antimicrobial and aging properties of coatings for spacecraft equipment using Small Angle X-ray Scattering.

Paper of the Month

B. Leforestier, M. R. Gyton & A. B. Chaplin, Oxidative addition of a mechanically entrapped C(sp)–C(sp) bond to a rhodium(I) pincer complex

Paper of the Month

M. C. Hatnean, O. A. Petrenko, M. R. Lees, T. E. Orton & G. Balakrishnan, Optical Floating Zone Crystal Growth of Rare-Earth Disilicates,R2Si2O7(R = Er, Ho, and Tm)

X-ray Facility Open for Users

The X-ray facility is open and ready for our users. Please click on the link for more details on how to access the Facility post-lockdown.