Analysis of The Crystalline Phases of The Mineral Rutan By Means of The X-Ray Diffraction Technique

Objective: This work aims to analyze a sample of the mineral Rutana, composed of two crystalline phases of titanium dioxide (TiO2): rutile and anatase, using the X-ray diffraction technique. Theoretical reference: In 1914, the German physicist Max von Laue, using a CaSO4 crystal, successfully achieved the diffraction of X-rays. Crystalline solids, such as CaSO4, consist of regular arrangements of atoms with interatomic spacings of the order of 0.1 -1.0Å, that is, with the same order of magnitude as the wavelength of X-rays. Due to the periodic nature of the internal structure of the crystals, it was possible for them to act as a three-dimensional diffraction grating, providing science with a new method for indirect investigation of the internal structure of materials: the X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. Methodology: In this technique, a finely ground crystalline powder of a material is placed in the path of a monochromatic x-ray beam. This material, composed of a large number of small crystallites, are randomly oriented. Diffraction occurs from planes of the crystallites that are oriented at the correct angle to fulfill the Bragg condition, in such a way that localized peaks of the same intensity as the diffracted beams are formed. Results and discussion: Based on the intensity, angles and width of the diffraction peaks, the mass percentages of each of the mineral's crystalline phases were obtained: rutile (62.08%) and anatase (37.92%). Research Implications: This work presents a contribution to future research related to the chemical characterization of initially unknown samples, by providing a comprehensive and representative theoretical framework related to the XRD technique. Originality/value: This study presents practical contributions to the literature related to the application of the XRD technique in the characterization of materials.