The Prediction of Preferred Orientation Planes in X-Ray Powder Diffractometry

A method for predicting possible preferred orientation planes in organic and inorganic powders of known crystal structures is presented. The usefulness of this method is demonstrated by applying it to the powders of benzamide, the α-form of 2-pyrazinecarboxamide, benzoic acid, olivine, and the high-temperature form of Li3PO4. It should be noted that the existence of preferred orientation axes found in the powders of benzoic acid and Li3PO4 can be well explained in terms of zone axes, each formed by two sets of cleavage planes.