3D electron diffraction studies of synthetic rhabdophane (DyPO₄·nH₂O)

In this study, we report the results of continuous rotation electron diffraction studies of single DyPO4·nH2O (rhabdophane) nanocrystals. The diffraction patterns can be fit to a trigonal lattice (P3121) with lattice parameters a = 7.019 (5) and c = 6.417 (5) Å. However, there is also a set of diffuse background scattering features present that are associated with a disordered superstructure that is double these lattice parameters and fits with an arrangement of water mol­ecules present in the structure pore. Pair distribution function (PDF) maps based on the diffuse background allowed the extent of the water correlation to be estimated, with 2-3 nm correlation along the c axis and ∼5 nm along the a/b axis.