Applied crystallography solutions to problems in industrial solid-state chemistry - Case examples with ceramics, cements and zeolites

We show that a number of processes involved in the field of industrial solid-state chemistry can be successfully studied in situ using a range of crystallographic and related techniques. The adaptation of relevant equipment to reproduce the process environment at the sample is a crucial part of the approach. Examples are given, involving the synthesis of zirconia-based ceramics, hydration of cements, and dehydration of zeolites, where successful applications of this approach have uncovered new structural/kinetic aspects concerning seemingly well established industrial processes.