MRI: Acquisition of a Powder X-ray Diffractometer for Research and Teaching

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With a Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) award, the Department of Chemistry at the State University of New York-Albany will acquire an X-ray powder diffractometer system. This will be used in research on a variety of systems including bismuth oxy-clusters, supramolecular assemblies with polyhedral cavities incorporating halogen atoms, carbon-rich open geodesic polyarenes, heterogeneous dirhodium catalysts, organosulfur and organoselenium polyspiro ligands, and quantum dots embedded within polyaniline/Laponite films. An X-ray powder diffractometer gives researchers access to a variety of techniques such as qualitative phase identification and quantitative phase analysis, chemical process monitoring under variable temperatures, thin film analysis, and most importantly, direct crystal structure determination when single crystal diffraction cannot be used. It is especially useful for the study of materials that contain disorder or do not form good crystals. The new powder diffraction instrumentation will impact the curriculum and the training of students. Since X-ray powder diffraction is a very attractive tool for forensic applications, it will bolster the forensic facility and strengthen the curriculum for a forensic chemistry B.S. degree. The instrument will be available for use in research and teaching at Union College and other four year colleges, several professional schools and community colleges in the Albany area.