INDUSTRIAL-ASPECTS OF SYNCHROTRON X-RAY-POWDER DIFFRACTION

This paper describes some of the applications of powder diffraction using synchrotron radiation with possible applications to industry. The advantages of differing synchrotron diffraction geometries, Debye-Scherrer, Analyser crystal, Hart Parrish, and Energy Dispersive, are discussed. The paper is not a comprehensive review but nevertheless considers the wider role of these powder diffraction geometries in elucidating crystal structures, highlighted examples being taken from polymers, catalyst and new drug materials, in addition to specific studies on polymer electrolyte complexes, textured materials (e.g. asbestos), pyrochlores, zeolites and cements. In the latter two cases rapid time-resolved powder diffraction is seen to be emerging as an important development in synchrotron-based techniques.