Strongly Absorbing Samples

Background

Considerations for strongly absorbing samples are discussed below.

11-BM uses transmission (Debye-Scherrer) geometry, therefore sample x-ray absorption (μ) must be considered. Absorption is not normally a problem for most users - the high energy beam (~ 30 keV) is easily able to penetrate these samples. However, absorption can be an issue for materials containing a large fraction of high-Z elements.

A highly absorbing sample will result in a transmission powder pattern with attenuated diffraction peak intensities, especially at low 2 θ angles (the sample is absorbing both the incoming and diffracted x-rays). It may not be possible to analyze these data in any meaningful way.

For samples with moderate absorption, peak intensities are still attenuated, but it is less dependent on scattering angle. Most refinement software packages can correct for this effect (or it can be incorporated in the refined atomic thermal parameters). For samples with low absorption, this effect is negligible and can be ignored.

The total absorption of any sample can be calculated before a measurement. It is a function of the sample composition, packed sample density, capillary radius, and the x-ray wavelength. One first determines the absorption for the composition and x-ray wavelength (μ), then calculates the total absorption (mu*r) for the actual sample to be measured using the capillary radius (r), sample density and packing fraction.

Guidelines for 11-BM Mail-In Samples

For its mail-in program, 11-BM uses a wavelength of ~ 0.41 Å (30 keV), and the standard supplied capillary tubes have a radius of 0.04 cm (~0.8 mm diameter).

Use the convenient Absorb web utilty to estimate sample absorption: http://11bm.xor.aps.anl.gov/absorb/absorb.php

Range of Mu-R values

The experimental implications for a range of sample absorption values (μ*r) are given below:

• μ*r < 0.1 : Very negligible absorption
• 0.1 < μ*r < 0.5: Low - no absorption correction needed
• 0.5 < μ*r < 1.0: Normal - correction may be needed for precise thermal parameters
• 1.0 < μ*r < 2.5: High - absorption correction recommended for analysis
• μ*r > 2.5 : Absorption is too large - consider an alternative sample preparation (see below)

Tricks to lower absorption

To decrease the μ*r of a highly absorbing sample, one must lower its effective packed density or reduce its radius.

Dilution One trick is dilute your sample by mixing with a lower density and amorphous material (no extra Bragg peaks!) to lower the overall absorption. Good candidates for this dilution method include silica (SiO2 glass) powder (you can grind it by hand using a mortar and pestle) or amorphous boron.

Nested Capillary An absorbing powder sample could also be loaded into a smaller diameter capillary, which is then inserted into the standard 11-BM Kapton tube. Be sure to record the relative amounts of sample and dilution material to determine the average composition of your mixed powder. Once the mixed powder sample is loaded in a capillary, you can determine the actual packed density by measuring the total weight (minus the empty capillary) and volume of the packed sample (packed length * π * r²).

Read our guidelines on nesting capillaries

Additional information can be found within the Wiki page on X-ray_Absorption and Fluorescence, and in the chapter on X-ray absorption in the International Tables for Crystallography (2006). Vol. C, Chapter 6.3.

Please contact 11-BM staff if you have questions about sample preparation for highly absorbing materials

An (severe) example illustrating how sample x-ray absorption can impact the quality of your 11-BM powder diffraction data is shown here.

Examples

Example absorption calculations using Absorb web utility are shown below.

Example #1 Sample composition: C12H22O11 (Sucrose) Use default Absorb web utility values 0.41 Å, 0.4 mm, 0.6 packing fraction Chemical Formula: C12H22O11 (theoretical density ~ 1.6 g/cm3) Absorb web utility estimates Mu = 0.08 cm-1 Total mu×r = 0.01 » absorption is completely negligible, ignore. Note: samples with extremely low absorption may also be weakly scattering. In these cases, a larger diameter capillary may improve the counting statistics. Contact beamline staff if you have questions.

Example #2 Sample composition: Co3O4 Use default Absorb web utility values 0.41 Å, 0.4 mm, 0.6 packing fraction Chemical Formula: Co3O4 (theoretical density ~ 6.11 g/cm3) Absorb web utility estimates Mu = 20.95 cm-1 (estimated density ~ 5.7 g/cm3) Total mu×r = 0.84 » absorption is in normal range, mu×r less than 1.0 - no problem for this experiment

Example #3 Sample composition: BaZr0.5Ti0.5O33 Use default Absorb web utility values 0.41 Å, 0.4 mm, 0.6 packing fraction Chemical Formula: BaZr0.5Ti0.5O3 (theoretical density ~ ?? g/cm3) Absorb web utility estimates Mu = 47.54 cm-1 (estimated density ~ 8.468 g/cm3) Total mu×r = 1.90 » noticeable absorption, but can be used for analysis with an absorption correction term.

Example #4 Sample composition: PbZrO33 Use default Absorb web utility values 0.41 Å, 0.4 mm, 0.6 packing fraction Chemical Formula: PbZrO3 (theoretical density ~ 9.8 g/cm3) Absorb web utility estimates Mu = 158.50 cm-1 (estimated density ~ 11.2 g/cm3) Total mu×r = 6.34 » absorption is too large (mu×r > 5.0), alternative sample preparations are needed (silica dilution etc).