3D-printed equipment to decouple (powder) X-ray diffraction sample preparation and measurement

Friederike Fuß; Max Rieckert; Simon Steinhauer; Moritz Liesegang; Günther Thiele

doi:10.1107/S160057672200293X

3D-printed equipment to decouple (powder) X-ray diffraction sample preparation and measurement

J Appl Crystallogr. 2022 Apr 29;55(Pt 3):686-692. doi: 10.1107/S160057672200293X. eCollection 2022 Jun 1.

Authors

Friederike Fuß¹, Max Rieckert¹, Simon Steinhauer¹, Moritz Liesegang², Günther Thiele¹

Affiliations

¹ Fachbereich Biologie Chemie Pharmazie, Freie Universität Berlin, Fabeckstraße 34-36, Berlin, 14195, Germany.
² Institut für Geologische Wissenschaften, Mineralogie-Petrologie, Freie Universität Berlin, Malteserstraße 74-100, Berlin, 12249, Germany.

Abstract

An alternative storage method to separate sample preparation from single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction measurements at home source diffractometers is described. For single crystals, a setup is presented which allows storage of preselected crystals under cryogenic and ambient temperatures. For powders, a disposable sample holder is introduced. The method is suitable for the storage of air- and moisture-sensitive samples. Equipment made of biodegradable polylactic acid is produced by 3D printing and can be adapted to individual needs. As 3D printers are widely available at research institutions nowadays, models of the presented equipment are provided for the reader to allow easy reproduction.

Keywords: 3D printing; cryo-storage; diffraction; home sources; powders; single crystals.

Grants and funding

We thank the Verband der Chemischen Industrie e.V. for a Liebig scholarship, the Volkswagen Stiftung within the framework of ‘Experiment!’ funding, the German-American Fulbright Commission for a Fulbright–Cottrell Award and the Hans-Böckler-Stiftung for a scholarship for doctoral candidates. Core facility BioSupraMol supported by the DFG is acknowledged for X-ray diffraction time.