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Tutorial Nano Size

Size Strain – FePt Nanoparticles

Files needed: d9_00233.rawd9_00607.raw

Learning outcomes: This tutorial shows how information on the size of nanoparticles can be obtained. Make sure you have completed the CeoO2 tutorial before attempting this one.

1. Save the files above in your working directory.

2. Go through the menu for a Simple Pawley refinement.

3. Select one of the data files above.

4. The data were recorded on the Durham d9. Select this diffractometer.

5. For d9_00233 the spacegroup is Fm3m with a~3.85 Angstroms; for d9_00607 you can use a tetragonal cell in P4/mmm with a~3.85, c~3.75 Angstroms.

6. The instrumental peak shape for this measurement was determined using CeO2 and is:

Simple_Axial_Model(!axial, 9.02216`)
TCHZ_Peak_Type(!pku, 0.00039`,!pkv, -0.00221`,!pkw, -0.00146`,!pkz, 0.00081`,!pkx, 0.00957`,!pky, 0.03386`)

7 Use “Save/send to topas” button and refine in topas. The calculated peak shape should be far sharper than the experimental.

8. Introduce the following macro to describe sample broadening due to size. The various terms are defined here.

LVol_FWHM_CS_G_L(1, 4489.51014, 0.89, 5424.90744, csgc, 10000, cslc, 10000)

9. Refine again. You should get a much lower wRp and l of 1.83 nm; for monodispersed spheres diameter=4*l/3=2.44 nm. Analysis of 257 particles by TEM gave an average size of 2.36 nm with sigma of 0.15 for this sample (around 7 nm for d9_00607.raw). Particles in d9_00607.raw are partially crystallographically ordered (hence the extra peaks) and contain significant stacking faults.