Chemical structures without crystals: The pair distribution function

Abstract

The Pair Distribution Function (PDF) is a characterization technique that allows studying the atomic structure of chemical compounds even if they are not crystalline. In this article, we discuss the application of PDF analyses in the field of nanoporous materials. Specifically, the use of this characterization technique will be described for metal-organic frameworks, where it does not stop gaining importance due to its versatility and potential to elucidate complex structures, both at local and intermediate scales.