Structural studies of inorganic materials

Crystal structures, i.e. the atomic arrangements in crystalline materials, form the basis for our understanding and development of inorganic materials. In this project crystal structures are determined and studied by means of single-crystal and powder diffraction methods using conventional and synchrotron X-rays, as well as neutron sources. It is also the aim of this project to explore the possibilities and develop crystallography as a toll for structural studies. The crystallographic studies are complemented by electron microscopy, spectroscopy, thermal, electro-chemical and kinetic methods. Among the materials studied are vanadium containing catalysts, where the catalytic properties are relying on the variability of the oxidation state of vanadium, which in turn depends on the structure hosting the vanadium ions. Another group of materials studied is optically and electro-optically active ceramics, whose polar properties can be directly related to their atomic arrangements. In yet another group of materials, minerals, new structures are determined and structurally related to known materials, and the stability fields and structural variations of solid solutions are explored.