
The first structure solved from powder diffraction data was LiSbWO6 [Le Bail et al., 1988]. Since then, structure solution from powder data has developed into an established technique suitable for any crystalline material.
The first step to a successful structure solution from powder data is the availability of high-quality X-ray diffraction data. Most of the modern floor-standing diffractometers can deliver data of sufficient quality. Not every benchtop diffractometer, however, can stand the challenge. Recently Gwilherm Nénert, XRD application specialist at Malvern PANalytical, solved the crystal structure of AgCaVO4 from powder X-ray data obtained on the Aeris Research benchtop diffractometer (Synthesis and crystal structure of the new vanadate AgCaVO4: Comparison with the arcanite structure, G. Nénert, 2017). Visit our website to download the data sheet, summarizing this case study, and to learn more about structure solution from X-ray powder diffraction.