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RIR-based quantitative phase analysis of crystal polymorphism

Background

TiO2 is widely used in white pigments, electronics materials, optical catalysts and UV absorbents. It exists in three polymorphs: rutile, anatase and brookite. The efficiencies of rutile and anatase as optical catalysts are different, so a method to determine the rutile:anatase ratio is needed. The quickest way to do quantitative XRD analysis is to determine the RIR (Relative Intensity Ratio).

Investigation

Data from the MiniFlex, profiled below, is of a prepared mixture of rutile and anatase in a 3:1 ratio. Using Jade to apply profile fitting algorithms, integrated intensities of several peaks were determined. The result showed rutile at 71.6 wt% and anatase at 28.4 wt%, which are approximately consistent with the ideal values of 75% and 25% respectively. This method is widely used as a simple, quick way to perform quantitative analysis.

 

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