State-of-the Science X-Ray Powder Diffraction

Texas A&M Research Foundation, College Station TX

Investigators

Abstract

With support from the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program, the Department of Chemistry at Texas A&M University will acquire an X-ray powder diffractometer. This equipment will enhance research in a number of areas including the following: a) metal phosphonate chemistry; b) synthesis, structure and ion exchange behavior of inorganic ion exchange materials; c) micro- and mesoporous materials made from polymetal components; d) design, synthesis and magneto-structural correlation of molecule-based magnets; e) introduction of bidentate Lewis acidic functionalities in microporous solids; and f) synthesis of hybrid materials and products of ion-exchange reactions. The X-ray diffractometer allows accurate and precise measurements of the full three dimensional structure of a molecule, including bond distances and angles, and it provides accurate information about the spatial arrangement of the molecule relative to the neighboring molecules. These studies will have an impact in a number of areas, especially materials science.