High-Resolution Powder X-ray Diffraction Study of Hybrid Single Crystals

Hybrid materials are an exciting new class of materials, where these promise novel functions and properties. However, their synthesis remains very challenging. This project will investigate a unique class of hybrid materials: single crystals containing foreign occlusions. We have developed a new strategy for generating hybrid crystals, where we have found that the addition of small amounts of organic solvents to the crystallisation medium facilitates the occlusion of high levels of additives in crystal hosts (calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate and manganese carbonate). With the ability to precisely tune the composition of the hybrid crystals, we now have a unique opportunity to investigate their structure/composition relationships. HR-PXRD will be used to determine how the crystal lattice is affected by the occlusions. This will provide vital insights into the occlusion mechanism in crystals and will ultimately enable the design of a novel functional materials with tunable properties.