Aeris for Thin Films: Grazing Incidence X-ray Diffraction
Powering the next generation of XRD research
Every day, researchers take steps into the unknown to discover more about the physical and natural world. Universities and research institutes, in particular, continually research to gain new knowledge.
At Malvern Panalytical, we love research just as much! Our scientists come here to help advance instruments and methods that turn research into knowledge and beyond. Sometimes, these instruments play a role in your lab – so we aim to make them user-friendly and even automated. Sometimes, measurements made with our instruments provide unique insight into established or emerging research fields. And sometimes, we develop techniques or equipment beyond established analytical methods. Over 150 of our full-time scientists across the world teach, study, and share how our analytical research solutions can be applied to established and newly emerging fields. From time to time, they also engage in joint publications with researchers.
Here, you’ll find some of these newest joint publications, as well as updates on our solutions in a research context. In the research theme pages, you’ll also find application notes providing an entry-level report on how our analytical solutions are used to gain knowledge in each research field. These application notes are the summaries of large bodies of work that often have a full publication behind them. Enjoy exploring!
Looking for support in an area that we haven’t covered? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us!
Paper of the month
Freitalite, C14H10, a new aromatic hydrocarbon mineral from Freital, Saxony, Germany
In collaboration with Benjamin Brandes and René Csuk of The Organic Chemistry Department, and Herbert Pöllmann of The Institute of Geosciences and Geography, at Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Thomas Witzke and Martin Schreyer in the Malvern Panalytical XRD Applications Laboratory, (Almelo), wrote a paper reporting discovery of a new mineral species, Freitalite, C14H10, corresponding to the aromatic hydrocarbon anthracene. X-ray powder diffraction was used to refine the crystal structure and, in combination with spectroscopic and elemental data, this new crystal was fully characterized. As a result of this work, Freitalite was accepted as a new mineral by the Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification of the International Mineralogical Association (IMA 2019-116).
This article can be seen at: https://ejm.copernicus.org/articles/33/1/2021
New application note
Read the application note here.
Analysis of Catalytic Ink for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC’s)
Catalytic inks are the key component when balancing cost, performance, and durability of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC’s). Particle size and dispersion critically impact the behavior of the ink and resulting performance of the electrode layers, affecting important parameters such as ink viscosity, ionomer distribution and morphology, catalyst utilization, interaction between the catalyst and ionomer, and the homogeneity and continuity of the electrode layer.
X-ray diffraction (XRD), laser diffraction (LD), and dynamic light scattering (DLS) are three characterization techniques each probing a different size regime and, when combined, can provide a comprehensive overview of the particles in the catalytic ink mixture.
Look out for our blog on Fuel cell on our Materials Talks portal on 25th March and our Webinar coming in April.
Want more information on this application, or to share your publication in this field? Contact us today!
Featured research area
Metal Organic Frameworks (MOF)
Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are a huge research area, so we’re excited that our research techniques can play a part. Our instruments can be used for detailed crystallographic analysis using X-ray diffraction to track changes under different operating conditions in real time. Or they can be used for physical characterization of manufactured MOF materials, in applications including:
- Fluid separation
- Gas sensors
- Fuel storage
- Catalysis
- Water purification
- Drug delivery
At Malvern Panalytical, a dedicated focus group researches and compiles information on solutions for Metal Organic Frameworks (MOF). For instance, you may have seen our recent webinar: Characterization of Metal Organic Frameworks: The building of robust structures. If you missed it, you can watch it on-demand via this link.
A new webinar called "Advanced in-situ experiments on Metal Organic Frameworks" is coming soon - click here to register!
You can also download our MOF brochure here.
Product news
Aeris: Powering the next generation of XRD research
We are very excited about this next stage in the Aeris evolution. Aeris was always designed to be a product that could evolve, and it is evolving into its own class of system. It is compact yet performs like a traditional floor standing system. Aeris occupies a unique position in the XRD market it is future proof and a good investment for any X-ray lab. On 23rd February we launched the Aeris XRD with its new features. If you missed the live launch, you can see a recording here. The launch was to introduce two new Aeris functionalities: X-ray diffraction in transmission and grazing incidence X-ray diffraction. If you want to know more, look at the new brochure and application notes.
Download the new Aeris brochure: Download brochure
That’s all for this news bulletin.
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