XRF vs XRD | Difference between XRF and XRD
This page compares XRF vs XRD and mentions difference between XRF and XRD. XRF stands for X-ray Fluorescence and XRD stands for XRD stands for X-ray Diffraction.
Introduction:
• There are various novel and non-destructive methods for chemical analysis.
There are various x-ray techniques for the same which include
X-ray absorption, X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence.
• Both use X-ray as source and detector.
• Both measure response to X-rays after interaction with substance.
• Both the techniques are used to provide measurement in order to identify
substance.
XRF | X-ray Fluorescence
• It provides quantitative elemental analysis.
• It does not provide information on how these elements are combined.
• XRF analyzers are used for the analysis in chemistry domain.
• It measures ppm-% for most elements.
• The figure-1 depicts XRF technique.
XRD | X-ray Diffraction
• It provides compound and phase analysis.
• It does not provide information on what elements are used to form these
compounds.
• XRD analyzers are used for the quantitative mineral phase
analysis in mineralogy domain.
• It does rough range analysis (about 2% to 100%).
• The figure-2 depicts XRD technique. It is based on scattering of X-rays by crystals.
Example: Diamond/Graphite
➤Both are made from carbon element, but they have different compounds with
different physical properties.
➤XRF identifies that both the compounds contain 100% carbon.
➤XRD identifies how carbons are interfaced (i.e. connected) to one another in the diamond or graphite.
Tabular Difference between XRF and XRD
Following table mentions difference between XRF and XRD techniques.
| Parameters | XRF | XRD |
|---|---|---|
| Function | Elemental Analysis | Compound and phase Analysis |
| Compound | Contains Fe | Contains Fe2O3 vs Fe3O4 |
| Compound | Contains Ca | Polymorphs: CaCO3 calcite vs aragonite vs valerite |
| Analyzer | It uses XRF analyzer. | It uses XRD analyzer. |
Conclusion: Both XRF and XRD are complement to each other irrespective of differences in their working principle.
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