Small-angle neutron scattering results

Fig. 50. Small-angle neutron scattering results from different stars in a scaled form. The lines are the result of a fit with Eq. (94). Insert Related radial segment distribution functions obtained from a Fourier transformation of the theoretical scattering function. (Reprinted with permission from [150]. Copyright 1987 The American Physical Society, Maryland)...

Figure5.24 Small angle neutron scattering results on a PPO/PS blend demonstrating the miscibility of the blend. (Reprinted (replotted) from Kambour, R. P, Bopp, R. C, Maconnachie, A. and IVIacKnight,W.J.,Po/ym.(1980) 21,p.133,with permission of Elsevier)...

This paper consists of four major sections. In the first section are described some of the recent synthesis methods allowing the preparation of calibrated networks with labelled chains. The second section deals with the microscopic structure of networks. The recent small-angle neutron scattering results are reviewed and the deformation mechanisms in gels discussed. In the third section, scaling relations derived for the elastic moduli of networks swollen at equilibrium are compared with the existing experimental data. Finally, in the fourth section a comparison between the dynamic properties of networks swollen at equilibrium and semi-dilute solution is made within the framework of a scaling approach. 

Cetyltrimethylammonium 4-vinylbenzoate (33) forms rod-like micelles that can be stabilized by radical polymerization. The resulting structure, was observed by small-angle neutron scattering to retain its original rod-like architecture and showed enhanced thermal stability and did not dissociate upon dilution. 

By small-angle neutron scattering experiments on water/AOT/hydrocarbon microemulsions containing various additives, the change of the radius of the miceUar core with the addition of small quantities of additives has been investigated. The results are consistent with a model in which amphiphilic molecules such as benzyl alcohol and octanol are preferentially adsorbed into the water/surfactant interfacial region, decreasing the micellar radius, whereas toluene remains predominantly in the bulk hydrocarbon phase. The effect of n-alcohols on the stability of microemulsions has also been reported [119],... 

The conformation of polymer chains in an ultra-thin film has been an attractive subject in the field of polymer physics. The chain conformation has been extensively discussed theoretically and experimentally [6-11] however, the experimental technique to study an ultra-thin film is limited because it is difficult to obtain a signal from a specimen due to the low sample volume. The conformation of polymer chains in an ultra-thin film has been examined by small angle neutron scattering (SANS), and contradictory results have been reported. With decreasing film thickness, the radius of gyration, Rg, parallel to the film plane increases when the thickness is less than the unperturbed chain dimension in the bulk state [12-14]. On the other hand, Jones et al. reported that a polystyrene chain in an ultra-thin film takes a Gaussian conformation with a similar in-plane Rg to that in the bulk state [15, 16]. 

The size and shape of polymer chains joined in a crosslinked matrix can be measured in a small angle neutron scattering (SANS) experiment. This is a-chieved by labelling a small fraction of the prepolymer with deuterium to contrast strongly with the ordinary hydrogenous substance. The deformation of the polymer chains upon swelling or stretching of the network can also be determined and the results compared with predictions from the theory of rubber elasticity. 

Regioselective crosslinking of the core domain of cylindrically shaped, wormlike micelles composed of poly[(butadiene)45-b-(ethylene oxide)55] and assembled in aqueous solution at < 5% block copolymer concentrations, was performed using radical coupling of the double bonds throughout the poly(butadiene) phase [27] (Figure 6.3b). This resulted in a 13% reduction in the core diameter, from 14.2 to 12.4 nm, as measured by small-angle neutron scatter-... 

For both polymer systems the static structure factors were investigated using small angle neutron scattering and the results interpreted in terms of RPA theory. Figure 6.6 displays the temperature-dependent static structure factor obtained from a PE-PEE melt (sample IV). 

In order to be able to include a steric contribution in the interparticle energy calculation, an estimate of the adsorbed layer thickness is required. This is very difficult to access experimentally probably the only technique which might be able to provide an estimate is small-angle neutron scattering which was beyond the scope of this work. As a result, a theoretical estimation of the thickness was made, based on a few key observations. This is described below. 

Water-in-fluorocarbon emulsions, stabilised with fluorinated nonionic surfactants, were investigated by small angle neutron scattering (SANS) spectroscopy [8,99]. The results indicated that the continuous oil phase comprised an inverse micellar solution, or water-in-oil microemulsion, with a water content of 5 to 10%. However, there was no evidence of a liquid crystalline layer at the w/o interface. A subsequent study using small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) spectroscopy gave similar results [100]. 

Fig. 3.2 Small-angle neutron scattering intensity as a function of wave vector magnitude for a rfPS-PB diblock forming micelles in PB, c = 5x l(T2gcm 3. Symbols, experimental results line, theoretical scattering profile for a uniform sphere (Selb et al. 1983).

Whitmore and Noolandi (1985b) developed the self-consistent field theory to examine micellization in AB diblocks in a blend of AB diblock and A homopolymer solvent . The model was applied specifically to the case of PS-PB diblocks in PB homopolymer for comparison with the results of small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) experiment by Selb et al. (1983). This model is discussed in more detail in Section 3.4.2. 

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