Search results for " Neutron scattering"
showing 10 items of 205 documents
Slow Crystallization Kinetics of Poly(vinyl alcohol) in Confined Environment during Cryotropic Gelation of Aqueous Solutions
2006
The gelation kinetics of aqueous solutions of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) during freezing at −13 °C has been investigated with time-resolved small angle neutron scattering. Crystallization of PVA takes place inside an unfrozen liquid microphase that forms in the matrix of ice crystals and follows a first-order kinetics during the early stages and becomes very slow in the later stages with an apparent Avrami exponent lower than 1. Crystallization of PVA at low temperatures is responsible of formation of strong physical gels upon defrosting, provided that the concentration of PVA is higher than a critical value.
Fractal approach in petrology: Small-angle neutron scattering experiments with volcanic rocks.
1988
Following Mandelbrot's pioneering work in 1977, we attempt to use the concept of fractal dimension in petrology. Fractal dimension is an intensive property of matter which offers a quantitative measure of the degree of surface roughness. Neutron scattering experiments have been performed on 18 volcanic rocks from different localities. The scattered intensity as a function of the momentum transfer obeys a power law whose exponent varies, for the rock samples presented, between -3 and -4. We conclude that, at the molecular level, our volcanic rocks are not fractal volumes. With regard to the particle-matrix interface, it is not possible to provide a determination at the present stage of resea…
Application of small angle neutron scattering to micellar fluids
1990
Abstract In this paper we present a short overview of the application of small angle neutron scattering (SANS) to micellar fluids. In the first part of the paper a general expression of the scattering equation is derived, with particular emphasis on the approximations involved and on their practical consequences. In the second part of the paper we present six selected test cases (such as mono- and polydisperse fluids, critical fluids, shapes other than spherical, etc.) taken from our own work, to demonstrate the kind of analysis performed in each case to extract the information from SANS data.
A structural comparison of halloysite nanotubes of different origin by Small-Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) and Electric Birefringence
2018
The structure of halloysite nanotubes (Hal) from different mines was investigated by Small-Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) and Electric Birefringence (EBR) experiments. The analysis of the SANS curves allowed us to correlate the sizes and polydispersity and the specific surfaces (obtained by a Porod analysis of the SANS data) of the nanotubes with their specific geological setting. Contrast matching measurements were performed on patch Hal (from Western Australia) in order to determine their experimental scattering length density for a more precise analysis. Further characterization of the mesoscopic structure of Hal was carried out by Electric Birefringence (EBR), which allowed to study th…
Electronic and Magnetic Study of Polycationic Mn-12 Single-Molecule Magnets with a Ground Spin State S=11
2010
International audience; The preparation, magnetic characterization, and X-ray structures of two polycationic Mn-12 single-molecule magnets (Mn12O12(bet)(16)(EtOH)(4)](PF6)(14)center dot 4CH(3)CN center dot H2O (1) and [Mn12O12(bet)(16)(EtOH)(3)(H2O)](PF6)(13)(OH)center dot 6CH(3)CN center dot EtOH center dot H2O (2) (bet = betaine = (CH3)(3)N+-CH2-CO2-) are reported. 1 crystallizes in the centrosymmetric P2/cspace group and presents a (0:2:0:2) arrangement of the EtOH molecules in its structure. 2 crystallizes in the noncentrosymmetric P (4) over bar space group with two distinct Mn-12 polycations, [Mn12O12(bet)(16)(EtOH)(2)(H2O)(2)](14+) (2A) and [Mn12O12(bet)(16)(EtOH)(4)](14+)(2B) per un…
Neutron Scattering of Poly(ethylene terephthalate)
1986
Through the use of deuterium labeling, small angle neutron scattering (SANS) has been found to be an extremely effective tool for elucidating the structure of polymer molecules in the condensed matter state. In this study, the molecular morphology of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) has been determined under four different conditions: (1) in the glassy state, (2) in the semicrystalline state, (3) after cold-drawing, and (4) after undergoing partial transesterification.
Modelling small angle neutron scattering data from polymers in supercritical fluids
2000
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, …
Effects of isotopic substitution on the conformational properties of polymeric aqueous solutions
2000
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.
The protein dynamical transition does not require the protein polypeptide chain
2011
We give experimental evidence that the main features of protein dynamics revealed by neutron scattering, i.e., the “protein dynamical transition” and the “boson peak”, do not need the protein polypeptide chain. We show that a rapid increase of hydrogen atoms fluctuations at about 220 K, analogous to the one observed in hydrated myoglobin powders, is also observed in a hydrated amino acids mixture with the chemical composition of myoglobin but lacking the polypeptide chain; in agreement with the protein behavior, the transition is abolished in the dry mixture. Further, an excess of low-frequency vibrational modes around 3 meV, typically observed in protein powders, is also observed in our mi…
QENS investigation of filled rubbers
2002
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.