The X-ray Diffraction Service of the Earth Sciences Institute Jaume Almera (ICTJA) is an analytical facility focused on the qualitative and quantitative characterization of the crystalline phases of materials. The XRD Service, with more than 30 years of experience in the field, offers support to ICTJA researchers and also to external users from universities, companies and other public or private organizations. Every year the XRD Service performs more than 3000 analyses of powdered samples.

One of the main objectives of the XRD Service at ICTJA is to support the ongoing investigations carried out by the researchers of ICTJA on Earth Sciences topics, including studies of vulcanology, sedimentology or petrology. The XRD Service also offers support to researchers from other institutes of CSIC and from Universities that require XRD analyses for their research in many different areas: geology, materials science, environment, chemistry, pharmacy, archaeology, etc. A large number of companies and organizations from the public or private sectors make use of the XRD Service at ICTJA for their industrial applications, quality control, environmental studies, forensics, etc.

Facilities:

The XRD Service at ICTJA employs a Bruker-AXS D5005 powder diffractometer, with theta-2theta configuration (Bragg-Brentano). It is equipped with the following items:

· Cu X-ray tube up to 2.2 kW, with point/line focus

· Large diameter goniometer

· Scintillator detector, linear up to 2 million c/s

· Low divergence collimator

· Soller slits

· Monochromator for the diffracted beam

· Automatic loader for up to 40 samples

· EVAPlus software for phase identification and semi-quantification

 

The XRD Service can also perform particle size analyses by means of a MALVERN Mastersizer 2000 laser diffraction system, which allows one to determine the particle size distribution of a sample (powdered or in aqueous solution) within the 0.1 µm - 1000 µm range.

 

Samples and service request:

For XRD measurements, powdered samples with particle sizes lower than 60 microns are required. Samples from external users can be grinded at ICTJA. The minimum amount of material that can be analyzed by XRD is determined by the size of the sample holders (the approximate sample volume that we require is similar to that of a two-euro coin). Please contact Josep J. Elvira ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) if you want to perform XRD analyses.

The granulometric measurements with the particle size analyzer can be performed on powdered (dry) samples or in aqueous solution. Please contact Soledad Álvarez ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) to perform measurements with the particle size analyzer.

For general queries regarding the XRD Service, please contact Jordi Ibáñez ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

Diffraction service rates : XRD_Rates_feb_2011.pdf

Request form for the XRD Service  XRD_form.pdf

Staff:
Josep J. Elvira Betanzos – Technical Director      ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
Soledad Álvarez Pousa – Technician                   ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
Jordi Ibáñez Insa – Senior Researcher               ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )