I need to analyse multiple samples in the form of powder using X ray diffraction. Can I mix powder derived from shells of similar organisms from the same species for qualitative and quantitative analysis for practical reasons or would the error be too excessive?
Dear Anastasios Varkoulis,
In my opinion, if you are going to measure the same species, compositional difference should be expected and measured and avarged actually. The way you say indeed should be.
Dear Mr. Anastasios Varkoulis,
XRD analysis can provide you understanding and high level statistically reliable data as well (qualitative and quantitative).
In order to process your diffraction daha, you need to run Rietveld analysis on your measured data.
Please see the attached document.
Regards
Engin
Don't know much about 'natural' materials but here is my two cents.
Depends on what you want to show. Do you expect the same phases in all your specimens? For qualitative analysis it might be easier identifying minor peaks of 'impurities' in pure samples. If you want to know the average composition in your samples, mixing should be okay (or even preferred) but you lose information about fluctuations in phase abundance, lattice constants etc. (which might be interesting for you). Do you expect amorphous phase (organic something maybe)? Mix additionally with an appropriate internal standard!
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