Versatile in situ powder X-ray diffraction cells for solid–gas investigations

This paper describes new sample cells and techniques for in situ powder X-ray diffraction specifically designed for gas absorption studies up to ca 300 bar (1 bar = 100 000 Pa) gas pressure. The cells are for multipurpose use, in particular the study of solid-gas reactions in dosing or flow mode, but can also handle samples involved in solid-liquid-gas studies. The sample can be loaded into a single-crystal sapphire (Al(2)O(3)) capillary, or a quartz (SiO(2)) capillary closed at one end. The advantages of a sapphire single-crystal cell with regard to rapid pressure cycling are discussed, and burst pressures are calculated and measured to be ∼300 bar. An alternative and simpler cell based on a thin-walled silicate or quartz glass capillary, connected to a gas source via a VCR fitting, enables studies up to ∼100 bar. Advantages of the two cell types are compared and their applications are illustrated by case studies.