Heterogeneous nucleation of polymorphs on polymer surfaces: polymer-molecule interactions using a heterogeneous dielectric solvation model.

We have investigated the mechanism of the nucleation of acetaminophen on poly(methyl-methacrylate) and poly(vinyl-acetate) utilizing a combination of quantum mechanical computations and electrostatic models. We have used a heterogeneous dielectric solvation model to determine the stability of different orientations of acetaminophen on polymer surfaces. We find that for the nucleation of acetaminophen on the polymer surfaces in vacuum, the most stable orientation is a flat orientation.

Heterogeneous nucleation of polymorphs on polymer surfaces: polymer-molecule interactions using a Coulomb and van der Waals model.

The nucleation processes of acetaminophen on poly(methyl methacrylate) and poly(vinyl acetate) have been investigated and the mechanisms of the processes are studied. This is achieved by a combination of theoretical models and computational investigations within the framework of a modified QM/MM method; a Coulomb-van der Waals model. We have combined quantum mechanical computations and electrostatic models at the atomistic level for investigating the stability of different orientations of acetaminophen on the polymer surfaces.

X-ray Powder Diffraction in Conservation Science: Towards Routine Crystal Structure Determination of Corrosion Products on Heritage Art Objects.

The crystal structure determination and refinement process of corrosion products on historic art objects using laboratory high-resolution X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) is presented in detail via two case studies. The first material under investigation was sodium copper formate hydroxide oxide hydrate, Cu4Na4O(HCOO)8(OH)2∙4H2O (sample 1) which forms on soda glass/copper alloy composite historic objects (e.g.

Synchrotron powder diffraction of silicon: high-quality structure factors and electron density.

Crystalline silicon is an ideal compound to test the current state of experimental structure factors and corresponding electron densities. High-quality structure factors have been measured on crystalline silicon with synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction. They are in excellent agreement with benchmark Pendellösung data having comparable accuracy and precision, but acquired in far less time and to a much higher resolution (sin θ/λ < 1.

Contemporary X-ray electron-density studies using synchrotron radiation.

Synchrotron radiation has many compelling advantages over conventional radiation sources in the measurement of accurate Bragg diffraction data. The variable photon energy and much higher flux may help to minimize critical systematic effects such as absorption, extinction and anomalous scattering. Based on a survey of selected published results from the last decade, the benefits of using synchrotron radiation in the determination of X-ray electron densities are discussed, and possible future directions of this field are examined.

Experimental determination of core electron deformation in diamond.

Synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction data are used to determine the core electron deformation of diamond. Core shell contraction inherently linked to covalent bond formation is observed in close correspondence with theoretical predictions. Accordingly, a precise and physically sound reconstruction of the electron density in diamond necessitates the use of an extended multipolar model, which abandons the assumption of an inert core.