In situ X‐ray scattering of the crystallisation of basic magnesium chlorides using a laboratory instrument

A method for in situ monitoring of the crystallisation of basic magnesium chlorides using a laboratory-based SAXS (small angle X-ray scattering)/ WAXS (wide angle X-ray scattering) instrument is demonstrated. By simultaneous acquisition of SAXS/WAXS, time-resolved particle size and phase evolution information was obtained for crystallisation of Mg3Cl(OH)5 ⋅ 4 H2O. Comparison of SAXS and WAXS data provides new mechanistic insights into the formation of this material, from long-range crystallographic order to nanoscale particle size, highlighting the information laboratory instruments can provide