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Cholesterol as a Standard in the X-Ray Diffraction of Clay Minerals¹

ABSTRACT

Cholesterol was found to be a satisfactory standard with which to align X-ray diffractometers for work with the relatively long spacings which are the chief diagnostic characteristic of clay minerals. Sensitivity of peak intensity and position to various diffractometer adjustments was determined, and improved results with clay minerals were demonstrated. Alignment of the diffractometer at some relatively short spacing introduces the risk of obtaining a long-spacing peak of diminished intensity or no peak at all. However, good alignment at a relatively long spacing ensures good alignment at shorter spacings as well.

¹ Contribution from the Agronomy Dept., Washington State University, Pullman. Scientific Paper No. 1822, Washington Agr. Expt. Sta. Project No. 1374.

² Assistant Professor of Soils. The author wishes to express his appreciation to E. W. Hope, Technician, and R. J. Miller, Graduate Student, for their assistance in the experimental work and Dr. C. D. Moodie and Dr. H. W. Smith, Agronomy Department, Washington State University, for their helpful criticism of the manuscript. Dr. T. S. Russell, Experiment Station Statistician, was largely responsible for the statistics used.

Received for publication May 15, 1959. Accepted for publication September 1, 1959.