
FWHM was measured as the width of Pearson VII model of the x-ray peak at the half-maximum intensity. Integrated intensity of an x-ray peak was calculated by the numerical method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of the copper powder was accomplished using step scan mode with step sizes of 0.03 o and 0.05 o 2q, and preset time changes from 0.1-3.5 s. Such details are essential for jewellery makers to manufacture items with features in demand in the consumer market.The aim of this work is to study the influence of x-ray diffractometer scanning parameters on the integrated intensity and full-width at half maximum (FWHM) of copper powder x-ray diffraction peaks by using statistical analysis methods. XRD is a useful tool for grading of minerals in terms of their origin, degree of crystallinity and purity. The data collected from remote sensing can be correlated with the XRD analysis data to reach commercial decisions concerning mining activities. Such changes can be monitored using XRD analysis and can help establish the evolution of mineral resources in different mineral rich areas. The composition of minerals undergoes continual changes due to environmental factors such as acid mine drainage, hydrological changes, changes in temperature and pressure due to rock dynamics. In addition to mineralogical analysis it also gives useful information on particle size. The slide is then mounted onto the sample stage of goniometer and subjected to the typical XRD analysis. A small portion of the clear sediment is spread on a glass slide and allowed to dry. Centrifugation is repeated to permit sedimentation of fine solids. The powder is transferred to a centrifuge tube topped up with Calgon solution and after shaking is centrifuged to remove the course sediments.
#COPPER XRD FREE#
The fine clay mix is ground in a mortar and pestle to obtain stone free specimen. Like rocks 10- 15 g of clay sample is taken and any rock bits are sieved out. It should comprise of different layer cuttings or drillings at different surface points which after fine grinding in a pulverising mill is dried at around 60☌ overnight and quartered to get a uniform sample.The sample thus obtained is mounted onto a surface mount to obtain a uniform surface for analysis. The sample size should be at least 5 – 10 g. Sampling plays a crucial role in rock analysis. The surface composition can differ from the interior due to weathering under natural environmental surroundings. Rocks can vary in size as well as in uniformity of composition. Some typical practices for sampling of geological specimens are outlined in the article. Minerals exist in the Earth’s crust under different forms such as rocks, clays and sediments or as nodules on the sea bed. However, for elemental composition and texture analysis one has to resort to scanning probe microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. However, the lower cost of XRD makes it the preferred choice for studies directed towards evaluation of fine grain minerals and mixtures or intergrowths at the microscopic level. XRD Analysis complements information obtained from other analytical techniques such as polarized light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. In addition x-ray diffraction provides details on degree of crystallinity, amorphous content, grain size, lattice deformations due to strain and can help trace the origins of minerals. The diffraction pattern can be matched with a library of over 17,000 patterns for different minerals offered by the International Centre for Diffraction Data (ICDD).Using the data base helps in both qualitative and quantitative estimation of minerals. Each mineral generates its unique x-ray diffraction pattern which serves to identify it. Minerals are inorganic materials majority of which exhibit a degree of crystallinity. Mining is an applied science which concerns with extraction of ores, fossil fuels for energy needs and minerals for commercial processing. Geology is the scientific study on structure of planet earth, formation of rocks, sediments and minerals. X-ray diffraction or XRD has made valuable contributions in the field of geology and mining.
