Research Group Crystallography and Geomaterials

We investigate the atomic structure of crystalline materials. The combination of experimental methods and simulation-based analysis approaches helps us to understand complex materials. We are inspired by naturally occurring atomic structures in geomaterials to understand the relationship between short- and longrange ordering phenomena, structure-property relationships, host-guest interactions, and formation processes of distinct materials.

Studied materials:
We are interested in crystalline materials with complex local atomic structures. This includes minerals occurring in the earth´s crust as well as synthetically produced compounds, especially microporous materials (zeolites and metal-organic frame-works) and mullitetype compounds.

Methods

Powder and single crystal diffraction (at variable temperatures) with X-rays, neutrons and electrons; thermal analysis; crystal growth; molecular modeling with force fields; density functional theory calculations; qualitative and quantitative phase analysis