Acquisition of an X-Ray Diffractometer with WAXS and SAXS for Materials Research.

摘要

Clark Atlanta University (CAU) acquired a Panalytic Empyrean X-Ray diffractometer with wide angle (WAXS) and small angle scattering (SAXS) 1D and 2D capabilities to support its chemistry, physics, and materials science research and education activities. This XRD has become a primary research instrument that is currently utilized in conjunction with other instrumentation at CAU to support research activities in the following areas: (1) Polymer-inorganic nanocomposites; (2) Materials and Manufacturing Exploration in Support of Air Force Systems and Applications: Multiscale modeling of advanced organic matrix composite materials systems; (3) Graphene oxide nanoribbons (GONRs) based heterophase elastomeric conductive composites: Preparation, characterization, modeling and property evaluation; (4) Polymer-graphene nanocomposites; (5) Polymer/nanocellulose nanocomposites; and (6) Development of organic-inorganic hybrid metal organic framework (MOF) structures for applications in radiation element detection and as heterogeneous catalysis for degradation of chemical warfare agents. The instrument will be utilized to investigate molecular structure, strain in crystallites, crystallinity, phase purity, thermal stability, phase changes, particle size and pore size distribution and dispersion, of nanophases by taking advantage of its WAXS and SAXS features. The WAXS feature is being utilized for high-quality phase identification and quantification, determination of crystallite size, preferred orientation and strain of individual crystallites present in polycrystalline and ordered (nano) phases in powders and thin films. The incorporation of the SAXS capabilities allows for the investigation of particle and pore size distribution, dispersion, specific surface area, degree of exfoliation and delamination of nanophases.