Pair Distribution Function Method Research Articles

Structural Analysis of Molecular Materials Using the Pair Distribution Function.

This is a review of atomic pair distribution function (PDF) analysis as applied to the study of molecular materials. The PDF method is a powerful approach to study short- and intermediate-range order in materials on the nanoscale. It may be obtained from total scattering measurements using X-rays, neutrons, or electrons, and it provides structural details when defects, disorder, or structural ambiguities obscure their elucidation directly in reciprocal space. While its uses in the study of inorganic crystals, glasses, and nanomaterials have been recently highlighted, significant progress has also been made in its application to molecular materials such as carbons, pharmaceuticals, polymers, liquids, coordination compounds, composites, and more. Here, an overview of applications toward a wide variety of molecular compounds (organic and inorganic) and systems with molecular components is presented. We then present pedagogical descriptions and tips for further implementation. Successful utilization of the method requires an interdisciplinary consolidation of material preparation, high quality scattering experimentation, data processing, model formulation, and attentive scrutiny of the results. It is hoped that this article will provide a useful reference to practitioners for PDF applications in a wide realm of molecular sciences, and help new practitioners to get started with this technique.

Compositional complexity dependence of lattice distortion in FeNiCoCrMn high entropy alloy system

Based on the hypothesis of lattice distortion, compositional complexity of high entropy alloys (HEAs) induces severe lattice distortion. Recent studies on the experimental and theoretical approaches to lattice distortion have been made to evaluate this hypothesis. However, the understanding of this effect is not complete due to their highly complex compositions and limited direct evidence. This work was designed to systematically study the effect of compositional complexity from unary to quinary compositions (Ni, FeNi, FeNiCo, FeNiCoCr and FeNiCoCrMn). To focus on the effect of interactions between constituent elements, the microstructural effect was minimized by controlling similar microstructural features such as grain size and residual strain. The micro lattice strain was evaluated on X-ray line profile analysis using the Williamson-Hall method and the local lattice strain was assessed by using pair distribution function (PDF) method through the total scattering data using the synchrotron X-ray diffraction measurement. Analysis on both the micro and local scales indicates that severe lattice distortion is not evident in FeNiCoCrMn HEA. Lattice strain and solid solution hardening are comparable between FeNiCoCrMn HEA and its sub-alloys. The high compositional complexity of FeNiCoCrMn HEA does not lead to a strong effect on lattice strain and solid solution hardening.

Local atomic structure determination of the amorphous verapamil HCl drug

We investigate the local atomic structure of verapamil hydrochloride in the amorphous state (a-VRPH) using the pair distribution function (PDF) and Reverse Monte Carlo (RMC) methods. We obtain the a-VRPH sample from its crystalline counterpart (c-VRPH) using the solvent evaporation technique. From the measured X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) data for a-VRPH and c-VRPH, two total structure factors S(Q) are derived, and Fourier transforming them, two total reduced distribution functions, γ(R), are obtained. We refine the XRPD pattern of c-VRPH using the Rietveld method to confirm the sample's crystal structure is the pure c-VRPH. The partial Sij(Q) factors and PDF functions are simulated based on the VRPH crystal structure found in the Cambridge Structural Database® (CSD). The PDF and RMC analyses allow us to observe some similarities between a-VRPH and c-VRPH at the intramolecular level and the main differences at the intermolecular level induced by the amorphization process.

Unassigned distance geometry and molecular conformation problems

3D protein structures and nanostructures can be obtained by exploiting distance information provided by experimental techniques, such as nuclear magnetic resonance and the pair distribution function method. These are examples of instances of the unassigned distance geometry problem (uDGP), where the aim is to calculate the position of some points using a list of associated distance values not previoulsy assigned to the pair of points. We propose new mathematical programming formulations and a new heuristic to solve the uDGP related to molecular structure calculations. In addition to theoretical results, computational experiments are also provided.

A Structural Study of 0.06LiNbO3-0.94K0.5Na0.5NbO3 from Neutron Total Scattering Analysis

The structure of ferroelectric 0.06LiNbO3-0.94K0.5Na0.5NbO3 (KNNL6) was investigated by the neutron total scattering method in the temperature range of 290–773 K. The Rietveld analysis using the powder neutron diffraction data in the range of 290–773 K indicates transition from a two-phase (monoclinic and tetragonal) mixture at room temperature to tetragonal and cubic phases at higher temperatures. However, characterization of the local structure by the pair distribution function (PDF) method indicates that the local structure (r ≲ 10 Å) stays monoclinic over the same temperature range. Besides, the local oxygen octahedral distortion exhibits smaller changes with temperature than what is observed for the long-range average structure.

A high throughput optical method for studying compositional effects in electrocatalysts for CO2 reduction

In the problem of electrochemical CO2 reduction, the discovery of earth-abundant, efficient, and selective catalysts is essential to enabling technology that can contribute to a carbon-neutral energy cycle. In this study, we adapt an optical high throughput screening method to study multi-metallic catalysts for CO2 electroreduction. We demonstrate the utility of the method by constructing catalytic activity maps of different alloyed elements and use X-ray scattering analysis by the atomic pair distribution function (PDF) method to gain insight into the structures of the most active compositions. Among combinations of four elements (Au, Ag, Cu, Zn), Au6Ag2Cu2 and Au4Zn3Cu3 were identified as the most active compositions in their respective ternaries. These ternary electrocatalysts were more active than any binary combination, and a ca. 5-fold increase in current density at potentials of −0.4 to −0.8 V vs. RHE was obtained for the best ternary catalysts relative to Au prepared by the same method. Tafel plots of electrochemical data for CO2 reduction and hydrogen evolution indicate that the ternary catalysts, despite their higher surface area, are poorer catalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction than pure Au. This results in high Faradaic efficiency for CO2 reduction to CO.

Thermally-induced local structural transformations in Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3-KNbO3 ceramics

The local symmetry of (1-x)Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3-xKNbO3 (NBT-xKN, x = 0.01−0.07) ceramics was thoroughly examined using high-energy synchrotron x-ray scattering and analysed using the pair distribution function (PDF) method. At room temperature, the structure of NBT-xKN (x = 0.01−0.07) ceramics was best refined using monoclinic C1c1 structures within the local-range (r<22 Å) and rhombohedral R3c within medium-range (22 Å <r <52 Å). Furthermore, the local monoclinic C1c1 structure exists from room temperature to > 420 °C (above the temperature of the maximum dielectric peak, Tm), as confirmed by in-situ temperature-dependent PDF analysis.

Bridging Structural Inhomogeneity to Functionality: Pair Distribution Function Methods for Functional Materials Development.

The correlation between structure and function lies at the heart of materials science and engineering. Especially, modern functional materials usually contain inhomogeneities at an atomic level, endowing them with interesting properties regarding electrons, phonons, and magnetic moments. Over the past few decades, many of the key developments in functional materials have been driven by the rapid advances in short‐range crystallographic techniques. Among them, pair distribution function (PDF) technique, capable of utilizing the entire Bragg and diffuse scattering signals, stands out as a powerful tool for detecting local structure away from average. With the advent of synchrotron X‐rays, spallation neutrons, and advanced computing power, the PDF can quantitatively encode a local structure and in turn guide atomic‐scale engineering in the functional materials. Here, the PDF investigations in a range of functional materials are reviewed, including ferroelectrics/thermoelectrics, colossal magnetoresistance (CMR) magnets, high‐temperature superconductors (HTSC), quantum dots (QDs), nano‐catalysts, and energy storage materials, where the links between functions and structural inhomogeneities are prominent. For each application, a brief description of the structure‐function coupling will be given, followed by selected cases of PDF investigations. Before that, an overview of the theory, methodology, and unique power of the PDF method will be also presented.

Local and long-range atomic/magnetic structure of non-stoichiometric spinel iron oxide nanocrystallites.

Spinel iron oxide nanoparticles of different mean sizes in the range 10-25 nm have been prepared by surfactant-free up-scalable near- and super-critical hydro-thermal synthesis pathways and characterized using a wide range of advanced structural characterization methods to provide a highly detailed structural description. The atomic structure is examined by combined Rietveld analysis of synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) data and time-of-flight neutron powder-diffraction (NPD) data. The local atomic ordering is further analysed by pair distribution function (PDF) analysis of both X-ray and neutron total-scattering data. It is observed that a non-stoichiometric structural model based on a tetragonal γ-Fe2O3 phase with vacancy ordering in the structure (space group P43212) yields the best fit to the PXRD and total-scattering data. Detailed peak-profile analysis reveals a shorter coherence length for the superstructure, which may be attributed to the vacancy-ordered domains being smaller than the size of the crystallites and/or the presence of anti-phase boundaries, faulting or other disorder effects. The intermediate stoichiometry between that of γ-Fe2O3 and Fe3O4 is confirmed by refinement of the Fe/O stoichiometry in the scattering data and quantitative analysis of Mössbauer spectra. The structural characterization is complemented by nano/micro-structural analysis using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), elemental mapping using scanning TEM, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and the measurement of macroscopic magnetic properties using vibrating sample magnetometry. Notably, no evidence is found of a Fe3O4/γ-Fe2O3 core-shell nanostructure being present, which had previously been suggested for non-stoichiometric spinel iron oxide nanoparticles. Finally, the study is concluded using the magnetic PDF (mPDF) method to model the neutron total-scattering data and determine the local magnetic ordering and magnetic domain sizes in the iron oxide nanoparticles. The mPDF data analysis reveals ferrimagnetic collinear ordering of the spins in the structure and the magnetic domain sizes to be ∼60-70% of the total nanoparticle sizes. The present study is the first in which mPDF analysis has been applied to magnetic nanoparticles, establishing a successful precedent for future studies of magnetic nanoparticles using this technique.

Understanding the Lithiation Pathways of Tetrel Clathrates with Synchrotron X-Ray Characterization

Tetrel clathrates are materials composed of cage-like frameworks of covalently bonded Group IV (Si, Ge, Sn) elements containing guest atoms in the center of each cage. Our group has been investigating the electrochemical properties of Si and Ge clathrates for potential applications as Li-ion battery anodes. Our studies have found that in some cases the Li-alloying pathways are distinctly different in clathrates compared to those seen in the diamond cubic analogs. For example, the Ba8Al16Si30 Type I clathrate does not undergo a Li-alloying reaction [1] while the Ba8Ge43 clathrate does [2]. In the case of Ba8Ge43, the reaction pathway appears to follow an amorphous phase transformation, in contrast to diamond cubic Ge, which undergoes several phase transformations to form crystalline Li-Ge phases [3].In this work, we employ synchrotron X-ray pair-distribution function (PDF) analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and in situ heating experiments to elucidate the electrochemically induced structural changes in Ge and Sn clathrates and how they differ from those in the elemental analogs. The Type I Ba8Ge43 and Type VIII Ba8Ga16Sn30 clathrates are chosen and compared to diamond cubic Ge and beta-Sn. The PDF method allows us to probe the local structure of the amorphous phases that form after lithiation, while in situ heating experiments enable us to observe structural changes to the amorphous phases upon moderate heating. The insights learned from the structural characterizations are then used to explain the differences in the electrochemistry between the Tetrel clathrates and their elemental analogs.The results suggest that the amorphous phases that are part of the final lithiated state of Ba8Ge43 have local structures similar to the Li-Ge crystalline phases. We conclude that the Ba atoms prevent the bulk nucleation of Li-Ge crystalline phases and restrict the Li-Ge ordering to the scale of 10-15 Å, resulting in a solid solution mechanism and a lower reaction voltage compared to cubic-Ge. Similar analysis of the Type VIII Ga-Sn clathrate (Ba8Ga16Sn30) results in a similar lithiation path showing a solely amorphous phase transformation. These results give insight to the fundamentals of how the initial structure of group IV materials affect their Li-alloying properties and structures. Figure 1 (a) Unit cell of Ba8Ge43, purple atoms are Ge and green atoms are Ba. (b) PDFs of the lithiation of Ba8Ge43 at different states of lithiation. (c) PDFs of cubic-Ge at different states of lithiation.[1] R. Zhao. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces. 9 (2017) 41246–41257.[2] A. Dopilka. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces. 10 (2018) 37981–37993.[3] H. Jung. Chem. Mater. 27 (2015) 1031–1041. Figure 1

Investigation of Cooling Rate Effect of Liquid Vanadium on the Crystallization Process with Molecular Dynamic Simulation Method

Isıtma ve soğutma süreçlerinde vanadyumun mikro yapısal değişimleri ve soğutma hızının kristalizasyon süreci üzerine etkileri gömülü atom metodu kullanılarak moleküler dinamik benzetim yöntemi ile araştırıldı. Soğutma oranın etkisi sekiz farklı soğutma oranı (Q=0.05-10 K/ps) kullanılarak araştırıldı ve sonuçlar çiftler dağılım fonksiyonu, Honeycutt-Andersen ve Voronoi mozaikleme analiz yöntemleri kullanılarak analiz edildi ve ayrıntılı bir şekilde tartışıldı. Erime noktası civarında hesaplanan çiftler dağılım fonksiyonu ve yapı faktörünün deneysel sonuçlarla tutarlı olduğu gözlenmiştir. Daha yavaş soğutma oranları için kristalizasyon sıcaklığından başlayarak ideal bcc kristal yapıyı temsil eden 1441 ve 1661 bağlı çiftlerinin ve &amp;lt;0,6,0,8&amp;gt; kümelerinin ani ve bir o kadar keskin bir artışı izlenmiştir. Daha düşük sıcaklıklarda söz konusu bağlı çiftlerin ve kümelerin dağılımlarının ısıtma sürecinde elde edilen sonuçlarla neredeyse üst üste olduğu gözlenmiştir. Bu sonuçlar yavaş soğutma oranları için sistemin sıvı yapıdan ideal bcc kristal yapıya geçiş yaptığının açık delilidir. Sistem daha hızlı soğutulduğunda, bcc kümelerin yanı sıra başka kristal kümelerin de oluştuğu gözlenmiştir.

Fast operando X-ray pair distribution function using the DRIX electrochemical cell.

In situ electrochemical cycling combined with total scattering measurements can provide valuable structural information on crystalline, semi-crystalline and amorphous phases present during (dis)charging of batteries. In situ measurements are particularly challenging for total scattering experiments due to the requirement for low, constant and reproducible backgrounds. Poor cell design can introduce artefacts into the total scattering data or cause inhomogeneous electrochemical cycling, leading to poor data quality or misleading results. This work presents a new cell design optimized to provide good electrochemical performance while performing bulk multi-scale characterizations based on total scattering and pair distribution function methods, and with potential for techniques such as X-ray Raman spectroscopy. As an example, the structural changes of a nanostructured high-capacity cathode with a disordered rock-salt structure and composition Li4Mn2O5 are demonstrated. The results show that there is no contribution to the recorded signal from other cell components, and a very low and consistent contribution from the cell background.

Observation of structural phase transition in Nd0.5Sr0.5MnO3 from high real-space-resolution X-ray diffraction

ABSTRACTThe real-space total scattering atomic Pair Distribution Function (PDF) method has been used to study the effect of temperature (T) on the structural features of the manganite . The powder X-ray diffraction data were collected as a function of T ranging from 92 to 300 K. The PDF data were analyzed at a value of and a room temperature model was used for the refinement of the data at two different refinement ranges (r-ranges): 1.7–10 and 1.7–30 for all the temperatures. Good agreements between the model and the PDF data were obtained with good agreement factor () values and a possible evidence for a structural phase transition (mainly from an orthorhombic Imma to a monoclinic phase) was observed at T = 145 K through the variation of the lattice parameters a, b, and c, and of as T decreases.

In-situ and Operando Characterization of Battery Materials using X-rays

X-ray diffraction, scattering and imaging are powerful tools for the study of battery materials [1, 2]. In this work we describe several X-ray methods, which can provide a wealth of information about new materials used in battery applications. By using X-ray diffraction (XRD) it is possible to identify the different crystallographic phases, and with the Rietveld method [3] it is possible to refine the crystallographic structures of the different materials and quantify the amount of each phase in the bulk material. It is also possible to perform in situ and operando XRD measurements of the complete battery cells. This can be done either in reflection or in transmission geometry [4-6]. In order to perform the measurements in transmission geometry, radiation with higher energy is required, e.g. Mo or Ag X-ray anodes. A newly developed Malvern Panalytical X-ray detector (GaliPIX3D) allows for shorter measurement time and/or better data quality thanks to the higher efficiency of the CdTe sensor material [7]. In addition, the short-range structure of crystalline, nano-crystalline and amorphous materials can be studied with the Pair Distribution Function method (PDF), based on a total scattering approach. Also for this technique, hard X-ray radiation (Mo or Ag anodes) is required. Imaging is also a very useful technique, enabling detailed view of the interior structure of the battery in a non-destructive way. All X-ray scattering and imaging experiments can be performed on a single X-ray instrument, such as a Malvern Panalytical Empyrean multipurpose diffractometer.[1] E. Talaie et al., Energy & Environmental Science 8, 2512-2523 (2015)[2] Z. Liu et al., Chemistry of Materials 26(8), 2513-2521 (2014).[3] H.M. Rietveld, J. Appl. Cryst. 2, 65 (1969).[4] I. Buchberger et al., Journal of The Electrochemical Society 162(14), A2737-A2746 (2015).[5] N. Sharma et al., ChemSusChem, 8, 2826-2853 (2015).[6] E. Talaie et al., Chemistry of Materials, DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemmater.6b02726 (2016).[7] G. Confalonieri et al., Powder Diffraction Journal, 30(2), Supp. 1, S65 (2015).

Structural Study of Nano-Sized Gahnite (ZnAl2O4): From the Average to the Local Scale.

Spinel gahnite (ZnAl2O4) has been obtained through a hydrothermal synthesis method with a grain size of about 2 nm. The sample was calcined for a few hours at two different temperatures (800 and 900 °C) in order to obtain larger grain sizes to be analyzed by means of powder diffraction with the Rietveld method, and by means of total scattering with the Pair Distribution Function (PDF) method. The idea is to compare the average to the local structure, as a function of increasing grain size. The total scattering data were collected at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), Grenoble. The samples have been also characterised by means of high resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), showing an increasing grain size up to about 9 nm. The average structure presented variations in the inversion degree and an increase in grain size. TEM observations demonstrated that the small crystals are well crystallised: the high resolution images neatly showed the atomic planes, even in the smallest particles. However, the average structure did not properly fit the PDF data in the local region, owing to a slightly different coordination among the octahedra. A new structural model is proposed for the local region of the PDF, that helped our understanding of the differences between a real nanostructured sample and that of a microcrystalline one. The oxygen disorder, due to the inversion grade of the spinel, is demonstrates to be at the basis of the local deviation. No signals of interstitial Zn atoms were detected.

Using Complementary Methods of Synchrotron Radiation Powder Diffraction and Pair Distribution Function to Refine Crystal Structures with High Quality Parameters—A Review

Determination of the atomic-scale structures of certain fine-grained minerals using single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) has been challenging because they commonly occur as submicron and nanocrystals in the geological environment. Synchrotron powder diffraction and scattering techniques are useful complementary methods for studying this type of minerals. In this review, we discussed three example studies investigated by combined methods of synchrotron radiation XRD and pair distribution function (PDF) techniques: (1) low-temperature cristobalite; (2) kaolinite; and (3) vernadite. Powder XRD is useful to determine the average structure including unit-cell parameters, fractional atomic coordinates, occupancies and isotropic atomic displacement parameters. X-ray/Neutron PDF methods are sensitive to study the local structure with anisotropic atomic displacement parameters (ADP). The results and case studies suggest that the crystal structure and high-quality ADP values can be obtained using the combined methods. The method can be useful to characterize crystals and minerals that are not suitable for single-crystal XRD.

Structure changes of nanocrystalline mackinawite under hydrothermal conditions

We investigated the structure changes and phase transformation from nanocrystalline mackinawite to pyrite using hydrothermal experiments, synchrotron X–ray diffraction (XRD) technique, atomic Pair Distribution Function (PDF) method, Extended X–ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) analysis, and transmission electron microscopic (TEM) observation. The first hydrothermal ageing experiment was performed by heating the nanocrystalline mackinawite at 120 °C for 12 h. The nanocrystalline mackinawite remained essentially unchanged for 12 h. The d001 and FWHM values of XRD peaks decreased for the first 2 h and subsequently maintained almost constant. There was no linear relationship between lattice parameters and hydrothermal heating time. The crystallite size quickly increased by the heating of 2 h, leading to the increase of crystallinity and appearance of the medium–range order in the nanocrystalline mackinawite. The nanocrystalline mackinawite preferentially grew in the horizontal direction along the sheet structure. The Fe atoms were distributed in the tetrahedral sites with a site occupancy of approximately 80%. The pre–edge peak energy of Fe K–edge suggested that about 10% Fe3+ was included in the nanocrystalline mackinawite to compensate the charge deficiency of Fe2+. The second hydrothermal ageing experiment was performed by heating the nanocrystalline mackinawite at 120 °C under the presence of elemental sulfur for 24 h. The nanocrystalline mackinawite persisted up to 8 h of heating time. Thereafter, pyrite and greigite instead of the nanocrystalline mackinawite appeared. Finally pyrite became dominant. The d001 and lattice parameters of nanocrystalline mackinawite varied significantly compared with those heated under the absence of elemental sulfur. The pre–edge peak energy indicated that the Fe2+ was oxidized to Fe3+ by elemental sulfur acting as the oxidant during the phase transformation from nanocrystalline mackinawite to greigite. In the phase transformation to pyrite, on the other hand, the Fe3+ was reduced to Fe2+ by sulfur in mackinawite and greigite acting as the reductant. The EXAFS analysis revealed that the second peak from the Fe–Fe interaction appeared at the heating time of 2 h, implying the formation of sheet structure consisting of edge–sharing FeS4 tetrahedra. Intensity of the second shell peak from the Fe–Fe interaction reduced after the heating time of 8 h. Instead, new peaks corresponding to the Fe–S and Fe–Fe interaction appeared after the heating time of 12 h. This result was strongly associated with formation of the disulfide bonds (S–S bonds) in pyrite. Consequently, the elemental sulfur can be recognized as one of the most important factors to promote the phase transformation from mackinawite to pyrite in the reducing lake and marine sediments.

The rise of the X-ray atomic pair distribution function method: a series of fortunate events.

The atomic pair distribution function (PDF) technique is a powerful approach to gain quantitative insight into the structure of materials where the structural coherence extends only over a few nanometres. In this paper, I focus on PDF from synchrotron X-rays and describe what is the PDF and where it came from, as well as key moments on the journey that have contributed to its enormous recent growth and expanding impact in materials science today. Synchrotron X-ray sources played a starring role in this story. This article is part of the theme issue 'Fifty years of synchrotron science: achievements and opportunities'.

Using powder XRD and pair distribution function to determine anisotropic atomic displacement parameters of orthorhombic tridymite and tetragonal cristobalite.

Determination of the crystal structures of low-temperature tridymite and cristobalite using single-crystal XRD has been challenging because they generally occur as metastable fine-grained crystals in the geological environment. Therefore, using powder diffraction and scattering techniques is critical to study the low-temperature crystals. Synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), pair distribution function (PDF) and transmission electron microscopy were used to investigate the structure of orthorhombic tridymite with C2221 symmetry and tetragonal cristobalite with P41212 symmetry, including their anisotropic atomic displacement parameters (ADPs). Rietveld refinement was used to determine the unit-cell parameters, fractional coordinates and isotropic atomic displacement parameters (Uiso) of the tridymite and cristobalite. The PDF method was used to determine ADPs for each atom. The results suggest that the crystal structure with high quality ADP values can be obtained using the combined methods of XRD and PDF analyses. The method can be used for characterizing crystals that are not suitable for single-crystal XRD.

Local atomic structure of thin and ultrathin films via rapid high-energy X-ray total scattering at grazing incidence.

Atomic pair distribution function (PDF) analysis is the most powerful technique to study the structure of condensed matter on the length scale from short- to long-range order. Today, the PDF approach is an integral part of research on amorphous, nanocrystalline and disordered materials from bulk to nanoparticle size. Thin films, however, demand specific experimental strategies for enhanced surface sensitivity and sophisticated data treatment to obtain high-quality PDF data. The approach described here is based on the surface high-energy X-ray diffraction technique applying photon energies above 60 keV at grazing incidence. In this way, reliable PDFs were extracted from films of thicknesses down to a few nanometres. Compared with recently published reports on thin-film PDF analysis from both transmission and grazing-incidence geometries, this work brought the minimum detectable film thickness down by about a factor of ten. Depending on the scattering power of the sample, the data acquisition on such ultrathin films can be completed within fractions of a second. Hence, the rapid-acquisition grazing-incidence PDF method is a major advancement in thin-film technology that opens unprecedented possibilities for in situ and operando PDF studies in complex sample environments. By uncovering how the structure of a layered material on a substrate evolves and transforms in terms of local and average ordering, this technique offers new opportunities for understanding processes such as nucleation, growth, morphology evolution, crystallization and the related kinetics on the atomic level and in real time.