Nanostructure by High-Energy XRD and Atomic Pair Distribution Functions

	Special Guest Lectures
	Nanostructure by High-Energy XRD and Atomic Pair Distribution Functions
	Valeri Petkov, Central Michigan University
	Professor
	Johnston Hall 218 June 01, 2011 - 02:30 pm
Abstract: Knowledge of the atomic-scale structure is an important prerequisite to understanding, predicting and improving properties of materials. With bulk materials it is easily obtained by traditional (Bragg) x-ray diffraction. However, when the physical size of materials is reduced to nanoscale dimensions Bragg x-ray diffraction is difficult to apply. The reason is that the diffraction patterns of nanosized materials show a limited number of Bragg peaks, if any, and a very pronounced diffuse component. The problem may be solved by employing a non-traditional approach involving high-energy x-ray diffraction and atomic pair distribution function data analysis. In the talk, the essentials of this approach will be introduced and its great potential demonstrated with results from several recent studies on nanostructured metallic (Au and PtPd), oxidic (BaTiO3, V2O5, TiO2, Fe2O3), semiconductor (CdTe, PbSe) and organic (PAMAM dendrimers) materials. Live presentation is at SC 2049, UNO. 218 Johnston Hall will have Access Grid viewing.

Speaker's Bio: Dr. Petkov received both his Masters and Ph.D. from the University of Sofia in Bulgaria. His research fields include: applied crystallography, X-ray (synchrotron) diffraction, 3-D structure determination & modeling, and magnetism

CENTER FOR COMPUTATION & TECHNOLOGY