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Pair Distribution Function (PDF)

26 February 2026

Pair Distribution Function (PDF) analysis is revolutionizing research in academia and industry, by unlocking the hidden structural secrets of materials.

HOW TO APPLY

Pair Distribution Function (PDF) analysis is revolutionizing research in academia and industry, by unlocking the hidden structural secrets of materials.

Unlike traditional X-ray diffraction, PDF excels in characterizing both crystalline and amorphous materials, providing unparalleled insights into atomic arrangements.

This capability is vital for industries like pharmaceuticals, battery development, and advanced materials, where understanding disordered structures is leading to the discovery of new materials, mechanisms, and previously unknown regimes that can lead to more robust materials and more efficient products.

By leveraging PDF, researchers and companies can accelerate innovation, optimize performance, and gain a competitive edge in materials engineering.

Applications

Pair Distribution Function Analysis is a X-ray diffraction technique focused on studying materials with lower degrees of order, such as

amorphous solids, for which traditional X-ray diffraction produces little information of value. The technique provides insight into the atomic

arrangements of disordered and short-range-ordered materials, for which standard crystallographic analysis is not possible due to the lack well-defined diffraction peaks associated to long-range structure.

PDF analysis is playing a transformative role in several industries by revealing atomic-level structural details, especially in materials with disordered or nanocrystalline structures.

Battery Technology
 

Study structural changes in electrode materials during charge/discharge cycles, to develop batteries with higher energy densities, longer lifespan, and improved stability.

PHARMACEUTICAL
 

Enable the study of amorphous drug formulations, ensuring better bioavailability and efficacy in medicines, while also helping in quality control.

GLASS & CERAMICS
 

Unveil hidden atomic arrangements, leading to stronger, more resilient materials: from touchscreen glass to highperformance ceramics.

CHEMICAL PROCESSING

Optimize materials for more efficient chemical reactions, by revealing the atomic structure of active catalyst sites.

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