Advances in Powder Diffraction Analysis

Powder diffraction offers a wide spectrum of applications to solid-state scientists. The method traditionally used for phase analysis and the study of structural imperfections has benefited, in the last twenty years, from great advances in the instrumentation and computer-based approaches for pattern indexing and modelling. The factors at the origin of the metamorphosis of the method are presented. The major modern applications reported include quantitative analysis and the extraction of three-dimensional structural and microstructural properties. The use of pattern-fitting techniques for the characterization of the microstructure is discussed through applications to nanocrystalline materials. Remarkable results achieved in the solution of crystal structures are presented, as well as the impact in solid-state chemistry of powder crystallography, particularly for elucidating the crystal chemistry of families of compounds for which only powders are available. New strategies for solving the phase problem have been introduced and new classes of solids are being studied, such as drugs, coordination and organic compounds.