Small angle scattering study of poly(methylmethacrylate)-block-poly(ethylene oxide) block co-polymer in aqueous solution

A combined Small Angle X ray (SAXS) and Neutron (SANS) Scattering study of aqueous solutions of a symmetric block copolymer consisting of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) moieties is presented. The polymer forms slightly polydisperse spherical micelles in a wide range of concentration (0.03 – 6.7 w/V) and temperature (20°C ≤ T ≤ 65°C). A good description of the SANS data is obtained using a polydisperse core-shell model with a structure factor for a modified hard sphere potential. By increasing the concentration at constant T we observed a decrease of the aggregation number and an increase of solvation of PEO groups in the shell, opposite to what happens by in…

Critical micellization density: A small-angle-scattering structural study of the monomer-aggregate transition of block copolymers in supercriticalCO2

In this paper we report a small-angle neutron-scattering investigation of micelle formation by the fluorocarbon-hydrocarbon block copolymer, polyvinyl acetate-b-poly (1,1,2,2-tetrahydroperfluoro-octyl acrylate) in supercritical CO{sub 2} (scCO{sub 2}) at 313 K. At high pressure the copolymer is in a monomeric state with a random coil structure, while at low pressure the polymer forms spherical aggregates stable in a wide range of thermodynamic conditions. By profiling pressure, a sharp monomer-micelle transition is obtained due to the tuning of the solvating ability of scCO{sub 2}. We confirm the previous finding that this aggregate-monomer transition is driven by the gradual penetration of…

Communication: anion-specific response of mesoscopic organization in ionic liquids upon pressurization

One of the outstanding features of ionic liquids is their inherently hierarchical structural organization at mesoscopic spatial scales. Recently experimental and computational studies showed the fading of this feature when pressurising. Here we use simulations to show that this effect is not general: appropriate anion choice leads to an obstinate resistance against pressurization. Published by AIP Publishing.

Modelling small angle neutron scattering data from polymers in supercritical fluids

In this paper we report a SANS investigation of micelle formation by fluorocarbon-hydrocarbon block copolymers in supercritical CO2(scCO2) at 313K. A sharp unimer-micelle transition is obtained due to the tuning of the solvating ability of scCO2 by profiling pressure. At high pressure the copolymer is in a monomeric state with a random coil structure. By lowering the pressure aggregates are formed with the hydrocarbon segments forming the core and the fluorocarbon segments forming the corona of spherical aggregates. This aggregate-unimer transition is driven by the gradual penetration of CO2 molecules toward the core of the aggregate and is critically related to the density of the solvent, …

Small angle scattering study of poly(methylmethacrylate)-blockpoly(ethylene oxide) block co-polymer in aqueous solution

A combined Small Angle X ray (SAXS) and Neutron (SANS) Scattering study of aqueous solutions of a symmetric block copolymer consisting of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) moieties is presented. The polymer forms slightly polydisperse spherical micelles in a wide range of concentration (0.03 – 6.7 w/V) and temperature (20°C ≤ T ≤ 65°C). A good description of the SANS data is obtained using a polydisperse core-shell model with a structure factor for a modified hard sphere potential. By increasing the concentration at constant T we observed a decrease of the aggregation number and an increase of solvation of PEO groups in the shell, opposite to what happens by in…

Solubility and solvation features of native cyclodextrins in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate

The comprehension of the mechanism entailing efficient solvation of cyclodextrins (CD) by green solvents is of great relevance to boost environmentally sustainable usages of smart supramolecular systems. Here, 1-ethyl-3- methylimidazolium acetate, an ecofriendly ionic liquid (IL), is considered as an excellent solvent for native CDs. This IL efficiently dissolves up to 40 wt.% β- and γ-CD already at ambient temperature and X-ray scattering indicates that CDs do not tend to detrimental flocculation under these drastic concentration conditions. Simu- lation techniques reveal the intimate mechanism of CD solvation by the ionic species: while the strong hydrogen bonding acceptor acetate anion i…

Structural investigation of hybrid nanocomposites

Ultra small (USANS) and small angle neutron scattering (SANS) techniques were employed to study an elastomer styrene–butadiene, where two kinds of silica fillers have been added in different amounts. Small silica-particle fillers are expected to modify morphological and mechanical properties when dispersed in the copolymer matrix. The USANS and SANS techniques can span a wide range of momentum transfer, investigating morphological properties of the filled elastomer over a number of decades in length scale. Surface and mass fractal behavior has been observed over different length scales.

Direct experimental observation of mesoscopic fluorous domains in fluorinated room temperature ionic liquids

Fluorinated room temperature ionic liquids (FRTILs) represent a class of solvent media that are attracting great attention due to their IL-specific properties as well as features stemming from their fluorous nature. Medium-to-long fluorous tails constitute a well-defined apolar moiety in the otherwise polar environment. Similarly to the case of alkyl tails, such chains are expected to result in the formation of self-assembled fluorous domains. So far, however, no direct experimental observation has been made of the existence of such structural heterogeneities on the nm scale. We report here the first experimental evidence of the existence of mesoscopic spatial segregation of fluorinated dom…

Scattering studies of large scale structures at the ultra small angle neutron scattering instrument S18

Abstract In recent years ultra small angle neutron scattering (USANS) has developed into a powerful standard method for large scale structure investigations. The upgraded instrument S18 at the ILL's 58 MW high flux reactor is operated routinely with increasing beam time demand. The performance of the instrument and its abilities will be discussed in this paper. A peak to background ratio better than 10 5 is reached using Agamalian's tail reduction method. A q -range from 2.10 −5 up to 5.10 −2 A −1 can be covered. This allows a clear overlap with standard pinhole SANS instruments. The new way collecting scattering data logarithmically equidistant in q -space saves measuring time. This allows…

Anomalous behavior of LiF:Mg,Cu,P (TLD100H) irradiated with electron beams

Abstract Thermoluminescent dosimeters of LiF:Mg,Cu,P (TLD100H) were exposed to 60Co γ -ray, protons, high energy electrons and the glow curves were analyzed. We observed an unusual behavior of the TL response of dosimeters to 7 and 14 MeV electron beam. In fact the relative amplitude between two of the five peaks (2° and 3° peaks) assumes values smaller than the unity for doses up to 5 Gy and values greater than the unity for doses equal to or greater than 10 Gy. A possible explanation of this behavior is given adopting a model of the formation of the peaks 2° and 3° and examining the different ways of energy release in matter for each beam. To perform this analysis we deconvoluted the glow…

Mesoscopic structural organization in fluorinated room temperature ionic liquids

The presence of fluorous tails in room-temperature ionic liquids imparts new properties to their already rich spectrum of appealing features. The interest towards this class of compounds that are of ionic nature with melting point less than 25 degrees C is accordingly growing; in particular, compounds bearing relatively long fluorous tails have begun to be considered. In this invited presentation, we show recent results arising from the systematic study of structural properties of a series of fluorinated room temperature ionic liquids, with growing fluorous chain length. At odd with the current understanding of this class of compounds, we show experimentally that they are characterized by t…

SAXS investigation on aggregation phenomena in supercritical CO2.

Synchrotron Small-Angle X-Ray scattering (SAXS) measurements on aggregate formation of a Polyvinyl acetate- b-Perfluoro octyl acrylate (PVAc- b-PFOA) block copolymer in supercritical CO(2) are here reported. Experiments were carried out for a series of different thermodynamic conditions, changing the solvent density by profiling both the pressure at constant temperature and the temperature at constant pressure. This block copolymer and in general fluorocarbon-hydrocarbon di-blocks form aggregates depending on the value of CO(2) density. A sharp transition between monomers dissolved as random coils and micelles characterized by a solvophilic shell and a solvophobic core occurs when the CO(2)…

Mesoscopic structural organization in fluorinated pyrrolidinium-based room temperature ionic liquids

Abstract In this contribution the microscopic and mesoscopic structural organization in a series of fluorinated room temperature ionic liquids, based on N-methyl-N-alkylpyrrolidinium cations and on bis(perfluoroalkylsulfonyl)imide anions, is investigated, using a synergy of experimental (X-ray and neutron scattering) and computational (Molecular Dynamics) techniques. The proposed ionic liquids are of high interest as electrolyte media for lithium battery applications. Together with information on their good ion transport properties in conjunction with low viscosity, we also describe the existence of nm-scale spatial organization induced by the segregation of fluorous moieties into domains. …

Industrial applications of the aggregation of block copolymers in supercritical CO 2 : a SANS study

Industrial applications of supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) rely upon the rather selective and easily adjustable solvent ability of CO2. CO2 near the critical point is a poor solvent for high molecular weight (HMW) hydrocarbon polymers, while it is a very good solvent for amorphous fluorinated polymers. By increasing the pressure, CO2 becomes a good solvent even for HMW hydrogenated chains. Specially engineered amphiphilic di-block copolymers, with CO2-philic and CO2-phobic portions, are expected to undergo trough a monomer–aggregate transition when the solvent density of the scCO2 changes. Here small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) results are reported for a block copolymer dissolved i…

Kinetics of block-copolymer aggregation in super critical CO2

Small angle X-ray and neutron scattering (SAXS and SANS) are used to obtain structural information on the aggregation behavior of block-copolymers dissolved in supercritical CO2. The SANS technique is used to provide a detailed structural model for the micellar aggregates, which form below the critical micellization density (CMD), that we defined in our previous work. The SAXS technique (with a synchrotron source) is used to provide the first experimental information concerning the kinetic features of both formation and decomposition of such aggregates as soon as pressure jumps are applied to the solutions across the CMD. 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of isotopic substitution on the conformational properties of polymeric aqueous solutions

Abstract This work deals with a side-by-side comparison between the PEO conformational properties in H 2 O and D 2 O. The gyration radius, evaluated by SANS, the hydrodynamic radius, evaluated by PCS, and the Raman D-LAM band analysis furnish valuable information on the structural arrangement of the molecules. The findings clearly show different behavioural properties of the polymer in H 2 O and D 2 O.

Structure of anisole derivatives by total neutron and X-ray scattering: Evidences of weak C–H⋯O and C–H⋯π interactions in the liquid state

Abstract High resolution, total neutron and X-ray scattering data have been used in synergy with Molecular Dynamics simulations to access atomistic scale insight into the structure of anisole and 2,3,5-trimethylanisole, two aromatic compounds bearing an electron-donating methoxy group. A detailed description is provided for the main interactions occurring in these systems, including π-π stacking and weak hydrogen bonding correlations: C H⋯O and C H⋯π. The existence of preferential orientations of the first shell coordinating molecules and the specific nature of the interactions involving the π cloud and the polar methoxy group have been reported and discussed.

Pressure-induced formation of diblock copolymer "micelles" in supercritical fluids. A combined study by small angle scattering experiments and mean-field theory. II. Kinetics of the unimer-aggregate transition

We developed a simple time-dependent mean-field theory to describe the phase separation kinetics of either homopolymers or AB-diblock copolymers in supercritical (SC) fluids. The model, previously used to describe the phase behavior of AB-block copolymers under the assumption of strong solvent selectivity for just one copolymer chain, has been extended to study the kinetics of the phase separation process. Time resolved small angle x-ray scattering (TR-SAXS) measurements have been performed on different AB-diblock copolymers containing a perfluorinated chain and dissolved in SC-CO2. The data obtained over a wide range of pressure and temperature confirm our theoretical predictions. Particul…

Improvement of the LET sensitivity in ESR dosimetry for -photons and thermal neutrons through gadolinium addition

Abstract We investigated the ESR response of new materials, alanine and ammonium tartrate to which gadolinium was added. The addition of gadolinium enhances sensitivity for Co 60 γ -photons because of its high atomic number ( Z = 64 ) and an enhancement of sensitivity for thermal neutrons because of its high thermal neutron cross section and high linear energy transfer (LET) secondary particles produced after the reaction with neutrons. In particular, in this paper we analyzed the microwave power saturation properties of dosimeters of alanine and ammonium tartrate with or without gadolinium exposed to different LET beams. The power saturation trends of dosimeters exposed to photons and to t…

Liquid structure of a water-based, hydrophobic and natural deep eutectic solvent: The case of thymol-water. A Molecular Dynamics study

The structural organization of the first example of a water-based, type V, hydrophobic, natural deep eutectic solvent (DES) is investigated in this work, exploiting the synergy of X-ray scattering and compu- tational techniques. The stoichiometric mixture of thymol:water (4.8:1) has been recently reported to behave as a DES, with a melting point at 6 C, well below the one foreseen for the ideal liquid mixture. Our study provides an atomistic insight into the structural correlations in this system, highlighting the major role played by hydrogen bonding (HB) correlations in affecting morphology as well as the solid– liquid equilibrium. Thymol engages HB-mediated interactions with both thymol …

Study of the glow curves of TLD exposed to thermal neutrons.

The glow curves of thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD600, TLD700 and MCP), exposed to a mixed field of thermal neutrons and gamma photons are analysed. The fluence values of thermal neutrons used, comparable with those used in radiotherapy, allow one to define the reliability of the TLDs, in particular the most sensitive MCP, in this radiation field and to get information on the dose absorbed values. The glow curves obtained have been deconvoluted using general order kinetics and the observed differences for the different LET components have been analysed. In particular, the ratio of the n(0) parameter of two different peaks seems to allow to discriminate the different contributions of neutr…

QENS investigation of filled rubbers

The polymer segmental dynamics is investigated in a series of silica-filled rubbers. The presence of inert fillers in polymers greatly affects the mechanical and physical performance of the final materials. For example, silica has been proposed as a reinforcing agent of elastomers in tire production. Results from quasielastic neutron scattering and Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis (DMTA) measurements are presented on styrene–ran-butadiene rubber filled with silica. A clear indication is obtained of the existence of a bimodal dynamics, which can be rationalized in terms of the relaxation of bulk rubber and the much slower relaxation of the rubber adsorbed on the filler surface.

Mesoscopic organization in ionic liquids.

We discuss some published results and provide new observations concerning the high level of structural complexity that lies behind the nanoscale correlations in ionic liquids (ILs) and their mixtures with molecular liquids. It turns out that this organization is a consequence of the hierarchical construction on both spatial (from ångström to several nanometer) and temporal (from fraction of picosecond to hundreds of nanosecond) scales, which requires joint use of experimental and computational tools. © 2017, Springer International Publishing Switzerland.

Structural features of selected protic ionic liquids based on a super-strong base

Protic ionic liquids (PIL) were prepared from a super-strong base 1,7-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) and super-strong acids, trifluoromethane sulfonic acid (TfOH), and (trifluoromethanesulfonyl)-(nonafluorobutylsulfonyl)imide, (IM14H), ([DBUH][TfO] and [DBUH][IM14], respectively; the latter for the first time) and their chemical and physical properties and structural features have been explored using a synergy of experimental and computational tools. The short range order in neat DBU, as well as the long range structural correlations induced by charge correlation and hydrogen bonding interactions in the ionic liquids, have been explored under ambient conditions, where these compounds …

Structure of isotactic polypropylene–hydrogenated oligo(cyclopentadiene) (iPP–HOCP) blends Part II. HOCP-rich blends

Abstract Blends of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) and hydrogenated oligo(cyclopentadiene) (HOCP) were investigated to gain structural information by means of both SAXS and SANS techniques. The composition range (from 30 to 60% w/w HOCP content) and the temperature range (between 25 and 160°C) were chosen in order to cover the miscibility gap in the phase diagram of the material system. In a previous report, blends lying outside the miscibility gap have been investigated and the corresponding SAXS patterns were interpreted in terms of a pseudo-two phase model. For the SAXS patterns, blends lying inside the miscibility gap are rather hard to be interpreted in terms of such a model. On the othe…

Structure of diblock copolymers in supercritical carbon dioxide and critical micellization pressure

This paper reports a small angle neutron scattering investigation of micelle formation by fluorocarbon-hydrocarbon block copolymers in supercritical ${\mathrm{CO}}_{2}{(\mathrm{s}\mathrm{c}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{C}\mathrm{O}}_{2})$ at 65 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C. A sharp unimer-micelle transition is obtained due to the tuning of the solvating ability of ${\mathrm{s}\mathrm{c}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{C}\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ by profiling pressure, so that the block copolymer, in a semidilute solution, finds ${\mathrm{s}\mathrm{c}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{C}\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ a good solvent at high pressure and a poor solvent at low pressure. At high pressure the copolymer is in a monomeric state…

Liquid Structure Scenario of the Archetypal Supramolecular Deep Eutectic Solvent: Heptakis(2,6-di-O-methyl)-β-cyclodextrin/levulinic Acid

The concept of supramolecular solvents has been recently introduced, and the extended liquid-state window accessible for mixtures of functionalized cyclodextrins (CDs) with hydrogen bond (HB) donor species, e.g., levulinic acid, led to the debut of supramolecular deep eutectic solvents (SUPRA-DES). These solvents retain CD’s inclusion ability and complement it with enhanced solvation effectiveness due to an extended HB network. However, so far, these promising features were not rationalized in terms of a microscopic description, thus hindering a more complete capitalization. This is the first joint experimental and computational study on the archetypal SUPRA-DES: heptakis- (2,6-di-O-methyl)…

Structural Features of β-Cyclodextrin Solvation in the Deep Eutectic Solvent, Reline

The inherently amphiphilic nature of native cyclodextrins (CDs) determines their peculiar molecular encapsulation features, enabling applications such as targeted drug nanodelivery, aroma protection, etc. On the contrary, it may also lead to poor solubility in water and other organic solvents and to potentially detrimental flocking in these media, thus posing limitations to more extensive usage. Here we use small angle X-ray scattering to show that deep eutectic solvent reline (1:2 choline chloride:urea) succeeds in dissolving large amounts of beta-CD (at least 800 mg/mL, compared with the solubility in water of 18 mg/mL), without aggregation phenomena occurring. At the microscopic level, m…

Dilute and semi dilute solutions of block copolymers in water, near-critical and super-critical CO2: a small angle scattering study of the monomer–aggregate transition

Abstract Small angle neutron (SANS) and X-ray (SAXS) Scattering measurements on aggregate formation of block copolymers in water and in near-critical and supercritical CO2 are reported here. Time Resolved SAXS (TR-SAXS) has also been performed in the supercritical region. Experiments have been carried out for a series of different thermodynamic conditions, changing the solvent density by profiling the pressure at constant temperature. A sharp transition between monomers dissolved as random coils and micelles characterized by a solvo-philic shell and a solvo-phobic core occurs when the solvent density reaches the critical micellization value. This is easily shown in the case of scCO2.

Emerging Evidences of Mesoscopic-Scale Complexity in Neat Ionic Liquids and Their Mixtures

Ionic liquids (ILs) represent a blooming class of continuously developing advanced materials, with the aiming of a green chemical industry. Their appealing physical and chemical properties are largely influenced by their micro- and mesoscopic structure that is known to possess a high degree of hierarchical organization. High-impact application fields are largely affected by the complex morphology of neat ionic liquids and their mixtures. This Perspective highlights new arising research directions that point to an enhanced level of structural complexity in several IL-based systems, including mixtures. The latter represent a change in paradigm in the approach to formulate new, task-specific I…

Qualitative and quantitative thermoluminescence analysis on irradiated oregano

Abstract Thermoluminescence (TL) dosimetry is one of the physical methods used for the identification of irradiated food, suitable for foods from which silicate minerals can be extracted. The aims of the present work were to apply the TL analysis for a qualitative identification of irradiated oregano, and to set up a quantitative procedure to estimate the original treatment dose on the sample. The experimental results show that the TL analysis allows to distinguish irradiated oregano even seven months after the treatment. The additive dose procedure gives a rough estimation of the treatment dose, but can be helpful when the TL ratio method is unsatisfactory.

Alanine blends for ESR measurements of thermal neutron fluence in a mixed radiation field

In this paper, the results of a study on the electron spin resonance (ESR) dosimetry to measure thermal neutron fluence in a mixed radiation field (neutron and photons) are presented. The ESR responses of alanine dosemeters with different additives are compared. In particular, the (10)B-acid boric and the Gd-oxide were chosen to enhance the sensitivity of alanine dosemeters to thermal neutrons. Irradiations were carried out inside the thermal column of the TAPIRO reactor of the ENEA center, Casaccia Rome. The main results are a greater neutron sensitivity and a smaller lowest detectable fluence for the dosemeters with gadolinium than for dosemeters of alanine with (10)B, which is well known…

Studio della glow curve di TLD irradiati con neutroni termici

Neutron–gamma mixed field measurements by means of MCP–TLD600 dosimeter pair

Abstract In this paper, we compared the TL response of three types of thermoluminescence dosimeters, TLD600 (6LiF:Mg,Ti), TLD700 (7LiF:Mg,Ti) and MCP (LiF:Mg,Cu,P) after exposure to a n–γ mixed field in the fluence range of radiotherapeutic applications. Since a dosimeter pair is required to discriminate the two components of the mixed field, we analyzed the ability of each dosimeter pair to provide the fluence value in the mixed field. At this aim we performed a 60Co–γ calibration and a neutron calibration for all three dosimeter types. Finally, a blind test was performed in order to analyze the accuracy of each dosimeter pair and we found that in this mixed field the fluence value obtaine…

Structural and dynamical characterization of melt PEO–salt mixtures

Abstract Salt doped poly ethylene oxide (PEO) mixtures were investigated by means of both small angle neutron scattering and QENS techniques aiming to characterize morphological and dynamical features in the melt state. These experimental evidences provide support to the proposed heterogeneous scenario for polymer electrolytes. In particular, the existence of PEO–cation complexes is proposed to play a major role in intramolecular cooperation and intermolecular transient crosslinks, which affects the mixture properties.

Risposta TL di dosimetri irradiati con radiazione di diverso LET

Fractal approach in petrology: combining ultra small angle, small angle and intermediate angle neutron scattering

Ultra small angle neutron scattering (USANS) instruments have recently covered the gap between the size resolution available with conventional intermediate angle neutron scattering and small angle neutron scattering (SANS) instruments on one side and optical microscopy on the other side. New fields of investigations are now open and important areas of material science (ceramics, glass fibers, natural materials) and fundamental physics (phase transition, phase separation and critical phenomena) can be studied in bulk samples with an accuracy previously unobtainable owing to a combination of favourable features of the neutron-matter interaction: high penetrability of neutrons, even cold neutr…

RISPOSTA ESR DI COMPOSTI ORGANICI PER LA DOSIMETRIA DI NEUTRONI TERMICI

QENS from polymer aggregates in supercritical CO2

Abstract We report QENS measurements from PS-b-PFOA aggregates in supercritical CO2. Line shapes are dominated by localized diffusive modes and segmental dynamics of the anchored, finite-length PFOA chains. For Q⩽0.6 A−1, we obtain effective diffusion coefficients of ≅0.8 10−6 cm2/s. At higher Q, a single component is not sufficient as shown by excess intensity on the flanks. For Q⩾1.5 A−1, the wings reflect contributions due to a distribution of faster, more localized chain modes.

Phase separation in multi-component mixtures: the four-component case

Abstract Calculation of ternary phase diagrams for several mixtures formed by two salts and a neutral component is presented here. The phase diagrams are obtained by inspection of the shape of the Gibbs free energy of mixing surface (Gmix) as a function of the composition at constant temperature and pressure. The Gmix surface is calculated by the mean spherical approximation (MSA). The model for the mixtures is represented by hard spheres, with the charged components interacting via a Coulomb potential. The results are interpreted in terms of a thermodynamic analysis of the contributions to the Gibbs free energy of mixing, i.e., the configurational energy, the volume and the entropy of mixi…

Structure and vibrational features of the protic ionic liquid 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]-undec-7-ene-8-ium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide, [DBUH][TFSI]

Abstract The Protic Ionic Liquid (PIL) formed by neutralization of the super-strong base 1,7-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) with the super-strong acid bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)-imide (TFSI), indicated as [DBUH][TFSI], has been investigated. Its chemical physical properties and structural features have been explored using a synergy of experimental and computational tools. Molecular Dynamics-rationalised X-ray diffraction patterns highlight the major role played by hydrogen bonding (HB) in affecting morphology in this PIL. A comparison between HB features in this and in related PILs has been presented, on the base of far-IR experiments and DFT analysis. Indications of a weaker HB in…

Morphology of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate room temperature ionic liquids

The structural organization in selected room temperature ionic liquids, namely (a) butyl-, (b) hexyl- and (c) octyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, is investigated by means of X-ray diffraction. We find novel experimental evidences of the existence of a high degree of intermediate range order that is associated to nanoscale segregation of the alkyl chains into the charged matrix. The size of these structural heterogeneities depends linearly from the alkyl chain length. A similar behaviour had been observed in other systems, such as normal alcohols. The slope of such dependence provides hints on the nature of the structural organization of these segregated domains.

Combined SANS and SAXS experiments in polyolefins-hydrogenated oligocyclopentadiene (HOCP) blends

Abstract Lamellar morphology in semicrystyalline polymer blends (iPP/HOCP and HDPE/HOCP) is investigated by means of Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) and Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS). The investigated blends present a complex phase diagram, as they show a miscibility gap. SAXS scattering curves of blends lying outside the miscibility gap can be analysed in the frame of the psuedo two phase model. In order to describe the complex morphology of blends lying inside the miscibility gap, the SANS technique revealed necessary. In this paper a novel method to describe the morphology of these complex systems by means of SANS is presented.

Structure of isotactic polypropylene/ hydrogenated oligo(cyclopentadiene) blends: 1. Polypropylene-rich blends

Blends of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) and hydrogenated oligo(cyclopentadiene) (HOCP) containing 30% or less HOCP have been studied by small-angle X-ray scattering in the temperature range 25 to 160°C. The structure of blends has been analysed in terms of a pseudo two-phase model consisting of stacks of lamellae whose thickness is a function of temperature and composition. Structural parameters of the model have been derived and their temperature and composition dependences have been interpreted in the light of existing theories.

Liquid Structure of Trihexyltetradecylphosphonium Chloride at Ambient Temperature: An X-ray Scattering and Simulation Study

We report on an experimental and simulation study done on a representative room temperature ionic liquid, namely tetradecyltrihexylphosphonium chloride, at ambient conditions. The study was conducted using small and wide angle X-ray scattering and molecular dynamics simulations. Both approaches converge in indicating that this material is characterized by the existence of strong P-Cl interactions (with characteristic distances between 3.5 and 5.0 Å) and by the occurrence of nanoscale segregation, despite the symmetric nature of the cation and similarly to other room temperature ionic liquids. A good agreement is found between the structure factor and pair correlation functions obtained from…

Morphology of hybrid polystyrene-block-poly(ethylene oxide) micelles: Analytical ultracentrifugation and SANS studies

Abstract Morphology and structure of aqueous block copolymer solutions based on polystyrene- block -poly(ethylene oxide) (PS- b -PEO) of two different compositions, a cationic surfactant, cetyl pyridinium chloride (CPC), and either platinic acid (H 2 PtCl 6 ⋅6H 2 O) or Pt nanoparticles were studied using a combination of analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and small angle neutron scattering (SANS). These studies combining methods contributing supplemental and analogous structural information allowed us to comprehensively characterize the complex hybrid systems and to discover an isotope effect when H 2 O was replaced with D 2 O. In particular, TEM s…

DOSE RECONSTRUCTION IN IRRADIATED OREGANO BY THERMOLUMINESCENCE DOSIMETRY

Nanoscale organization in the fluorinated room temperature ionic liquid: Tetraethyl ammonium (trifluoromethanesulfonyl)(nonafluorobutylsulfonyl)imide

Fluorinated Room Temperature Ionic Liquids (FRTILs) are a branch of ionic liquids that is the object of growing interest for a wide range of potential applications, due to the synergic combination of specifically ionic features and those properties that stem from fluorous tails. So far limited experimental work exists on the micro-and mesoscopic structural organization in this class of compounds. Such a work is however necessary to fully understand morphological details at atomistic level that would have strong implications in terms of bulk properties. Here we use the synergy between X-ray and neutron scattering together with molecular dynamics simulations to access structural details of a …

Segmental dynamics in polymer electrolytes

Polymer dynamics in poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)–salt mixtures is investigated by means of quasi-elastic neutron scattering (QENS). In a previous study, we reported QENS data from the NEAT spectrometer (BENSC) that evidenced, for the first time, a dynamic heterogeneity in PEO–salt mixtures induced by salt addition. This finding is supported by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations carried out by Borodin et al. In agreement with MD simulations, our QENS data revealed two distinct processes: a fast motion corresponding to the bulk polymer and a slower relaxation, which we attribute to formation of PEO–cation complexes. In this paper we present new QENS data from the high-resolution spectrometer I…

Liquid structure of dibutyl sulfoxide

We present experimental (X-ray diffraction) data on the structure of liquid dibutyl sulfoxide at 320 K and rationalise the data by means of molecular dynamics simulations. Not unexpectedly, DBSO bearing a strong dipolar moiety and two medium length, apolar butyl chains, this compound was characterised by a distinct degree of polar vs. apolar structural differentiation at the nm spatial scale, which was fingerprinted by a low Q peak in its X-ray diffraction pattern. Similar to, but to a larger extent than its shorter chain family members (such as DMSO), DBSO was also characterised by an enhanced dipole-dipole correlation, which was responsible for a moderate Kirkwood correlation factor as we…

Un sistema portatile per la caratterizzazione di apparati mammografici.

Pressure-Induced Formation of Diblock Copolymer "Micelles" in Supercritical Fluids. A Combined Study by Small Angle Scattering Experiments and Mean-Field Theory. I: the Critical Micellization Density Concept

We developed a simple mean-field theory to describe polymer and AB diblock copolymer phase separation in supercritical (SC) fluids. The highly compressible SC fluid has been described by using a phenomenological hole theory, properly extended to consider the solvent/polymer/vacancy pseudoternary mixture. The model has been applied to describe the phase behavior of AB-diblock copolymers under the assumption of a strong solvent selectivity for just one copolymer chain. In our model the solvent selectivity is a strong function of the external pressure because in compressible fluids vacancies reduce the number of favorable solvent-polymer contacts. The combined effect of the pressure on the ave…

Critical Micelle Density for the Self-Assembly of Block Copolymer Surfactants in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

The parameters which influence the self-assembly of molecules in solution include the temperature and solvent quality, and this study illustrates the use of these variables to regulate the degree of association of block copolymer amphiphiles in highly compressible supercritical carbon dioxide. Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) has been used to examine the association behavior of a block copolymer containing a CO2-phobic moiety, poly(vinyl acetate), and a CO2-philic block, poly(1,1-dihydroperfluoro-octylacrylate). By adjustment of the density of the medium through pressure and temperature profiling, the self-assembly can be reversibly controlled from unimers to core−shell spherical micel…

Fractal approach in petrology: Combining ultra small angle (USANS), and small angle neutron scattering (SANS)

Ultra small angle neutron scattering instruments have recently covered the gap between the size resolution available with conventional intermediate angle neutron scattering and small angle neutron scattering instruments on one side and optical microscopy on the other side. Rocks showing fractal behavior in over two decades of momentum transfer and seven orders of magnitude of intensity are examined and fractal parameters are extracted from the combined USANS and SANS curves.

On the nature of morphological features in phase-separated (PEO)nNaSCN mixtures: a SAXS investigation

Abstract The SAXS technique is used to throw light on the morphology of phase-separated poly(ethylene oxide)n–sodium thiocyanate [(PEO)nNaSCN] mixtures. A temperature-dependent investigation is reported for (PEO)4.5NaSCN. (PEO)nNaSCN mixtures show a complex phase behaviour. At the investigated composition, a crystalline complex (CC) is formed between PEO and NaSCN. The considered composition is representative of thermodynamic states where three different phases coexist simultaneously: crystalline PEO (CPEO), amorphous PEO (APEO) and crystalline complex (CC). Various SAXS data analysis approaches are presented to understand the nature of these coexisting phases. Invariant analysis shows a bi…

Morphology of solid polymer electrolytes: a TR WAXS investigation

A wide angle X-ray scattering investigation of (polyethylene oxide)n–sodium thiocyanate [(PEO)nNaSCN] mixtures is reported. Temperature dependence analysis for different mixtures is shown, in order to rationalize the multi-phase behaviour. Depending on the amount of salt added and upon the temperature considered three different phases have been found to simultaneously coexist: crystalline PEO, amorphous PEO, and crystalline complex.

Dynamic heterogeneity in polymer electrolytes. Comparison between QENS data and MD simulations

Abstract We have investigated the dynamics of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) lithium-based salt electrolytes (PEO–LiBETI) using quasi-elastic neutron scattering (QENS). Measurements were carried out on the spectrometer NEAT (HMI, Berlin) above the melting temperature of PEO ( T m ≈65°C). The experimental data fully support the Molecular Dynamics (MD)-derived model of a heterogeneous dynamics in dilute PEO-salt electrolytes. In agreement with MD simulations carried out on PEO–LiPF 6 , we find evidences for the existence of two dynamic processes: (a) a faster process that is described in terms of the pure PEO dynamics and (b) a second component which we identify with the slower motion of the PEO …

Oleochemical carbonates: A comprehensive characterization of an emerging class of organic compounds

Dialkyl carbonates (DAC) with short-medium alkyl length - oleochemical carbonates – are attracting attention because of their appealing properties, including low viscosity, flammability, toxicity, environ- mental impact and wide range of applications: lubricants, personal care, fuel additives etc. However, not much is known concerning their chemical physical properties and, more importantly, on the nature of microscopic correlations that eventually determine bulk performances. In view of this paucity, we pre- sent a large exploration of a series of chemical physical properties of a set of DACs ranging from dimethyl up to didodecyl carbonate. This study extends previously determined database…

Critical micellisation density: a SAS structural study of the unimer–aggregate transition of block-copolymers in supercritical CO2

In this paper we report a SANS investigation of micelle formation by fluorocarbon-hydrocarbon block copolymers in supercritical CO2 (scCO2) at 313K. A sharp unimer-micelle transition is obtained due to the tuning of the solvating ability of scCO2 by profiling pressure. At high pressure the copolymer is in a monomeric state with a random coil structure. By lowering the pressure aggregates are formed with the hydrocarbon segments forming the core and the fluorocarbon segments forming the corona of spherical aggregates. This aggregateunimer transition is driven by the gradual penetration of CO2 molecules toward the core of the aggregate and is critically related to the density of the solvent, …

Liquid structure of a choline chloride-water natural deep eutectic solvent: A molecular dynamics characterization

The liquid structure of a representative of the first water-in-salt (WiS) Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES), hereinafter indicated as aquoline, a mixture of choline chloride (ChCl) and water with molar ratio 1:3.33, is ex- plored at ambient conditions. Using Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulation tools, we extract structural informa- tion at atomistic level on the nature of inter-correlations between the different moieties. Despite being a very fluid liquid, with much lower viscosity than other common ChCl-based DES, aquoline turns out to be very struc- tured. Computed X-ray and neutron weighted scattering patterns (the latter also on selectively deuterated mix- tures) highlight the existe…

Microscopic structural and dynamic features in triphilic room temperature ionic liquids

Here we report a thorough investigation of the microscopic and mesoscopic structural organization in a series of triphilic fluorinated room temperature ionic liquids, namely [1-alkyl, 3-methylimidazolium][(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)(nonafluorobutylsulfonyl)imide], with alkyl=ethyl, butyl, octyl ([C(n)mim][IM14], n = 2, 4, 8), based on the synergic exploitation of X-ray and Neutron Scattering and Molecular Dynamics simulations. This study reveals the strong complementarity between X-ray/neutron scattering in detecting the complex segregated morphology in these systems at mesoscopic spatial scales. The use of MD simulations delivering a very good agreement with experimental data allows us to g…

Glow curve analysis of TLD-100H irradiated with radiation of different LET: Comparison between two theoretical method

In the present paper we show the result of study on the thermoluminescent signal of LiF:Mg,Cu,P (TLD-100H) after irradiation with beams of different LET (photons, electrons and protons). Through the analysis of the glow curve it is possible to obtain information on the LET of the radiation beam. To perform this analysis we have deconvoluted the glow curves adopting general order kinetic equation for the description of the peak shape. In addition a numerical simulation has been performed to find a connection among the physical parameters of the model (OTOR) and the parameters of the empirical expression used in the analysis of the experimental data (GOK). The methodology indicate that the ki…

QENS from polymeric micelles in supercritical CO[sub 2]

We report QENS measurements from PS-b-PFOA aggregates in supercritical CO2. These consist of dense cores of CO2-insoluble polystyrene surrounded by a ‘corona’ of PFOA surfactant molecules whose CO2-philic groups interface with supercritical CO2. Lineshapes are dominated by localized diffusive modes and segmental dynamics of the anchored, finite-length PFOA chains. For Q∼0.6 A−1, we obtain effective diffusion coefficients of ≈0.8×10−6 cm2/sec. At higher Q, a single component is not sufficient as shown by excess intensity on the flanks. For Q>1.5 A−1, the wings reflect contributions due to a distribution of faster, more localized chain modes.

Confronto XRF-LIBS per la caratterizzazione chimico-fisica di laterizi provenienti dal teatro greco romano di Taormina

Power saturation of ESR signal in ammonium tartrate exposed to 60Co gamma-ray photons, electrons and protons.

Abstract Marrale, M., Brai, M., Triolo, A., Bartolotta, A. and D'Oca, M. C. Power Saturation of ESR Signal in Ammonium Tartrate Exposed to 60Co γ-Ray Photons, Electrons and Protons. Radiat. Res. 166, 802–809 (2006). In this paper we present an investigation of the electron spin resonance (ESR) line shape of ammonium tartrate (AT) dosimeters exposed to radiation with different linear energy transfer (LET). We exposed our dosimeters to γ-ray photons (60Co), 7 MeV and 14 MeV initial energy electrons, and 19.3 MeV initial energy protons. The differences in the power saturation behavior of ESR spectra of AT irradiated with photons, electrons and protons could be correlated to the effective LET o…

Study on the thermotropic properties of highly fluorinated 1,2,4-oxadiazolylpyridinium salts and their perspective applications as ionic liquid crystals

A new series of fluorinated salts, iodides and trifluoromethanesulfonates, was synthesized from perfluoroalkylated 1,2,4-oxadiazolylpyridines. Their thermotropic properties were investigated by combined temperature resolved small angle and wide angle X-ray scattering, differential scanning calorimetry and polarised optical microscopy. The UV–visible and photoluminescence properties were studied for all compounds. The results showed for two compounds the existence of an enantiotropic mesomorphic smectic liquid crystal phase. All iodides showed thermochromism phenomena suggesting prospective applications in optoelectronics.

Investigating self-assembly and metal nanoclusters in aqueous di-block copolymers solutions

Self-assembling properties of di-block copolymers/ surfactant hybrids in aqueous solution can be exploited to obtain metal nanoparticles stable dispersion. Results will be presented here for polystyrene-block-poly(ethylene oxide) solutions. A SANS structural investigation has been performed over different molecular weights of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic block, by varying temperature and concentration of the copolymer. A SAXS characterization of micellar systems containing Pt nanoparticles is reported.

On the nature of phase separation in a commercial aluminium-lithium alloy

Abstract The formation of lithium-rich precipitate particles, known as δ′ phase, is responsible for the particularly desirable mechanical properties which make aluminium-lithium alloys interesting for different industrial applications. The structure and the kinetics of the phase separation process are conveniently studied by small-angle X-ray scattering, though uncertainties remain on the actual shape of the phase diagram of the system, particularly in the region of interest. In this paper are reported small-angle X-ray scattering measurements on a commercial AlLi (8.49% Li atoms) both in the region of formation of the precipitate and during its successive growth. Modelling of the experime…

A combined small-angle neutron and X-ray scattering study of block copolymers micellisation in supercritical carbon dioxide

Small angle neutron and X-ray scattering (SANS and SAXS) are used to investigate the monomer–aggregate transition of fluorocarbon–hydrocarbon diblock copolymers in supercritical carbon dioxide. SANS data are analyzed using a polydisperse sphere core–shell model. Synchrotron SAXS data have been collected by profiling the pressure at different temperatures, and critical micellization densities have been obtained for a series of diblock solutions. Finally pressure jump experiments, combined with synchrotron SAXS, have revealed two steps in the dynamics of the formation of the aggregates.

Ottimizzazione della dosimetria a termoluminescenza per la identificazione di spezie ed erbe aromatiche irradiate