Recent advancements in neutron scattering techniques for quantifying the structure and dynamics of polymers
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: • SANS–USANS–SESANS span 0.0001–20 µm to resolve multiscale structure. • Contrast-variation & selective deuteration decouple complex polymer structure and dynamics. • In situ/operando SANS with shear, heat, and fields maps polymer response. • QENS/NSE/INS quantify atomic-to-chain motions across ps–µs time scales. • GISANS/NR reveal 3D thin-film morphology with depth resolution. Neutron scattering techniques are powerful tools for characterizing the structure and dynamics of materials. They are particularly well-suited for studying polymer systems, which are typically rich in hydrogen. By combining neutron scattering with deuterium labeling, researchers can unravel complex structural features and dynamic behaviors within these systems. This review highlights recent advances in neutron scattering methods for probing the hierarchical structures and dynamics of polymeric materials, with a focus on developments over the past decade. We begin by discussing elastic techniques—such as small-angle neutron scattering (SANS)—used to examine polymer organization in both solution and solid states. Subsequently, we address the application of neutron reflectometry (NR) and grazing-incidence neutron scattering (GINS) techniques to the study of polymer thin-film structures. Next, we explore inelastic and quasi-elastic techniques, including inelastic neutron scattering (INS), quasi-elastic neutron scattering (QENS), and neutron spin echo (NSE), which provide insight into polymer dynamics across a broad range of time and length scales. Finally, we consider future directions for neutron scattering in soft matter research, emphasizing emerging methodologies and next-generation neutron sources that promise to further advance our understanding of these complex systems.
Source: Progress in Polymer Science
Authors: Zhiqiang Cao, Yunfei Wang, Xiaodan Gu
Institution: University of Southern Mississippi
Language: English
Subfield: Radiation
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $6,500
Awards: G1879556879, G3908200424, G5206577012, CAREER: Thermomechanical Property Control of Confined Conjugated Polymeric Thin Films, Collaborative Research: Syntheses and Solution-Phase Properties of Rigid Conjugated Ladder Polymer Chains, RII Track-4: NSF: Obtaining Data Science Expertise to Enable Rapid Data Driven Material Discovery
OpenAlex ID: W4415641832