Quantitative interpretation of X-ray diffraction patterns of mixtures. I. Matrix-flushing method for quantitative multicomponent analysis

A matrix-flushing method for quantitative multicomponent analysis by X-ray diffraction is reported. It is simpler and faster than, yet as reliable as, the conventional internal-standard method. In this new method, the calibration-curve procedure is shunted; a more fundamental `matrix-flushing' concept is introduced. The matrix-flushing theory gives an exact relationship between intensity and concentration free from matrix effect. Contrary to most theoretical methods the working equation is very simple, no complicated calculations are involved. The matrix-flushing theory and the analytical procedure are presented. Eight illustrative examples are drawn to demonstrate how this theory is applied to multicomponent analysis and amorphous-content determination. A novel `auto-flushing' phenomenon of binary systems was observed which appears to make the analysis of any binary system a simple matter.