Dynamic light scattering theory

The incorporation of non-Gaussian effects in the Rouse theory can only be accomplished in an approximate way. For instance, the optimized Rouse-Zimm local dynamics approach has been applied by Guenza et al. [55] for linear and star chains. They were able to obtain correlation times and results related to dynamic light scattering experiments as the dynamic structure factor and its first cumulant [88]. A similar approach has also been applied by Ganazzoli et al. [87] for viscosity calculations. They obtained the generalized ZK results for ratio g already discussed. 

We have identified three diffusion coefficients. These are the self-translational diffusion coefficient D, cooperative diffusion coefficient Dc, and the coupled diffussion coefficient fly. fl is the cooperative diffusion coefficient in the absence of any electrostatic coupling between polyelectrolyte and other ions in the system, fly is the cooperative diffusion coefficient accounting for the coupling between various ions. For neutral polymers, fly and Dc are identical. Furthermore, we identify fly as the fast diffusion coefficient as measured in dynamic light scattering experiments. The fourth diffusion coefficient is the slow diffusion coefficient fl discussed in the Introduction. A satisfactory theory of flj is not yet available. 

Therefore we expect Df, identified as the fast diffusion coefficient measured in dynamic light-scattering experiments, in infinitely dilute polyelectrolyte solutions to be very high at low salt concentrations and to decrease to self-diffusion coefficient D KRg 1) as the salt concentration is increased. The above result for KRg 1 limit is analogous to the Nernst-Hartley equation reported in Ref. 33. The theory described here accounts for stmctural correlations inside poly electrolyte chains. 

Analysis of polyelectrolytes in the semi-dilute regime is even more complicated as a result of inter-molecular interactions. It has been established, via dynamic light-scattering and time-dependent electric birefringence measurements, that the behavior of polyelectrolytes is qualitatively different in dilute and semi-dilute regimes. The qualitative behavior of osmotic pressure has been described by a power-law relationship, but no theory approaching quantitative description is available. 

In Sect. 2, we briefly review the thermodynamics of the volume phase transition. In Sect. 3, the dynamics of gels are discussed and the theory of dynamic light scattering (DLS) is reviewed. Section 4 describes the current knowledge of the microscopic gel structure as shown by small-angle neutron... 

The use of photon correlation spectroscopy to study the dynamics of concentration fluctuations in polymer solutions and gels is now well established. In bulk polymers near the glass transition there will be slowly relaxing fluctuations in density and optical anisotropy which can also be studied by this technique. In this article we review the development of the field of photon correlation spectroscopy from bulk polymers. The theory of dynamic light scattering from pure liquids is presented and applied to polymers. The important experimented considerations involved in the collection and analysis of this type of data are discussed. Most of the article focuses on the dynamics of fluctuations near the glass transition in polymers. All the published work in this area is reviewed and the results are critically discussed. The current state of the field is summarized and many suggestions for further work are presented. 

Measurements of static light or neutron scattering and of the turbidity of liquid mixtures provide information on the osmotic compressibility x and the correlation length of the critical fluctuations and, thus, on the exponents y and v. Owing to the exponent equality y = v(2 — ti) a 2v, data about y and v are essentially equivalent. In the classical case, y = 2v holds exactly. Dynamic light scattering yields the time correlation function of the concentration fluctuations which decays as exp(—Dk t), where k is the wave vector and D is the diffusion coefficient. Kawasaki s theory [103] then allows us to extract the correlation length, and hence the exponent v. 

With respect to the virtually very low sample loads, one could argue that the determined diffusion coefficient is at infinite dilution. However, there is no possibility in FFF techniques to perform a safe extrapolation to infinite dilution as in analytical ultracentrifugation or dynamic light scattering. In addition there is a severe problem for all particles deviating from the spherical shape (see Sect. 4.2.3 for a detailed discussion), as the evaluation of D from the FFF experiments using the conventional theory is inappropriate. 

The basic theory and discussion of results are covered in papers by Thomas [308]. who uses a Brookhaven Instrument Fiber Optics Quasi-Elastic Light Scattering System (BI-FOQELS) with dynamic light scattering obtained using the BI-DLS and diluted samples. 

DWS addresses dynamic light scattering in the multiple scattering concentration range. Pine et. al. [326] describe the theory for the technique and it has been applied to the determination of mean size and polydispersity [327,328]. The method has also been used for on-line measurement of concentrated suspensions [329]. 

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