DOCSLIB.ORG

NEUTRON STUDY of STRUCTURED POLYMERS at INTERFACES Thusitha Etampawala Clemson University, [email protected]

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
NEUTRON STUDY of STRUCTURED POLYMERS at INTERFACES Thusitha Etampawala Clemson University, Tetampa@G.Clemson.Edu Clemson University TigerPrints All Dissertations Dissertations 12-2013 NEUTRON STUDY OF STRUCTURED POLYMERS AT INTERFACES Thusitha Etampawala Clemson University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/all_dissertations Part of the Physical Chemistry Commons Recommended Citation Etampawala, Thusitha, "NEUTRON STUDY OF STRUCTURED POLYMERS AT INTERFACES" (2013). All Dissertations. 1207. https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/all_dissertations/1207 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Dissertations at TigerPrints. It has been accepted for inclusion in All Dissertations by an authorized administrator of TigerPrints. For more information, please contact [email protected]. NEUTRON STUDY OF STRUCTURED POLYMERS AT INTERFACES A Dissertation Presented to the Graduate School of Clemson University In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy Chemistry by Thusitha N. B. Etampawala December 2013 Accepted by: Dr. Dvora Perahia, Committee Chair Dr. Christopher J. Cornelius Dr. Stephen Creager Dr. Steven J. Stuart i ABSTRACT This work focuses on interfacial structure and dynamics of structured polymers in thin films and in solutions using neutron techniques accompanied by atomic force microscopy. We probed polymers with a common theme that were highly segregated either because of presence of ionic groups or topological constraints. In these polymers the interfacial regions often define their function in different applications such as clean energy, printing adhesions and drug delivery systems. Thin film studies include systems of polystyrene/sulfonated polystyrene, a rigid sulfonated polyphenylene and polystyrene three-arm stars/linear polystyrene. The first two systems include ionic components and the last exhibits topological constraints. Polystyrene is often used as a model polymer because of the ease of exercising synthetic control over its molecular weight. Interdiffusion at the polymer-polymer interface was followed as well as diffusion of guest molecules. We found that the interfacial diffusion at the interfaces of ionic- nonionic polymers is strongly impacted by the presence of ions. The presence of ionic groups results in surface aggregation which in turn impacts the interfacial diffusion. The rigidity of the polymer also plays an important role as it results in significant interstitial spaces that dominate diffusion. The interfaces formed by these polymers are often inhomogeneous and contain both ionic and nonionic species that impact the onset of dynamics. In parallel, we studied the interfacial segregation of three-arm star polymers in a matrix of polystyrene. The contact point between the three-arms forms topological ii constraints that impact the segregation. The interfacial compositions were found to be balanced between entropic forces that drove polymer chain ends to the interfaces and the effects of topological constraints that hindered the motion of polymers. Interfacial segregation effects are seen not only in thin films but also strongly affect the assembly of polymers in solution. Here we studied a penta-block copolymer that consists of an ionic center block in hydrophobic solution. We found that very stable aggregates are formed where these shapes and stability are attributed to the ionic block. Finally the synthesis of structured alternating copolymers and their optical characteristics are introduced. iii DEDICATION This dissertation is dedicated to my wife, Madhubashini Medagoda, my mother, late father, my sister and my parents-in-law for their love and support given me throughout my life. Without them, I will be unable to make this achievement. iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS First and foremost, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my doctoral research advisors, Dr. Dvora Perahia for her guidance, encouragement and invaluable support given throughout my Ph.D. study. I would like to thank Dr. Christopher J. Cornelius (currently at Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering Department at University of Nebraska-Lincoln), Dr. Rhett Smith and Ms. Brynna Laughlin for their valuable guidance throughout the synthesis of some of the polymer materials used in this study. I am grateful to my dissertation committee, Dr. Christopher J. Cornelius, Dr. Steven J. Stuart and Dr. Stephen Creager for their suggestions and evaluation of my dissertation. Their advice and support have always been appreciated. I would like to thank some neutron beam line scientists including Dr. Jaroslaw Majewski (SPEAR at LANSCE, LANL), Dr. Rex Hjelm (LQD at LANSCE, LANL), Dr. Jim Browning, Dr. John F. Ankner and Ms. Candice Hilbert (LR at SNS, ORNL), Dr. William T. Heller and Dr. Christopher B. Stanley (EQ-SANS at SNS, ORNL), Dr. Lilin He (GP-SANS at HFIR, ORNL), for their priceless technical help and advices on the neutron scattering and reflectivity experiments. I would like to thank Dr. Don Vanderveer for his help on X-ray diffraction experiments. Special thank goes to my colleagues in our “polymer physics” research group at Clemson University particularly Dilru R. Ratnaweera, Naresh C. Osti, Umesh M. Shrestha, Sidath I. Wijesinghe, Dipak Aryal and Sabina Maskey for their support given me to success the neutron related experiments. Without them, I will be unable to make this work happen. v Further, I would like to thank Dr. Carl Willis from Kraton Polymers, US, LLC for the penta-block copolymer materials. Finally, I would like to acknowledge the financial support from College of Science and Engineering, Clemson University and United States Department of Energy. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS Page TITLE PAGE ................................................................................................................... i ABSTRACT ..................................................................................................................... ii DEDICATION ................................................................................................................ iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ............................................................................................... v LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................... x LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................ xi CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................ 1 Ionomers ................................................................................................. 1 Motivation and objectives .................................................................. 1 Morphological models of ionomers ................................................... 5 Ionomers in solution ..................................................................... 7 Ionomers in thin film ..................................................................... 9 Polymers with topological constraints .................................................. 10 Motivation and objectives ................................................................ 10 Outline and contribution ...................................................................... 11 References ............................................................................................. 13 II. EXPERIMENTAL METHODS .................................................................. 18 Small angle scattering ........................................................................... 18 Small angle neutron scattering ....................................................... 23 Non-polarized specular neutron reflectivity ......................................... 25 References ............................................................................................. 30 III. INSIGHT INTO THE STABILITY OF POLYMER THIN FILM: EFFECTS OF THREE-ARM POLYSTYRENE STARS IN LINEAR POLYSTYRENE THIN FILMS AGAINST THERMAL ANNEALING ............................................................................................. 33 Abstract ................................................................................................. 33 Introduction ........................................................................................... 34 vii Table of Contents (Continued) Page Experimental .......................................................................................... 36 Samples ........................................................................................... 36 Thin films preparations ................................................................... 38 Silicon wafer treatment ................................................................... 38 Neutron reflectivity experiment ...................................................... 38 Analysis of the density profiles....................................................... 40 Results and discussion .......................................................................... 42 Summary ................................................................................................ 56 Supporting information .......................................................................... 57 Acknowledgement ................................................................................ 58 References .............................................................................................. 58 IV. NEUTRON REFLECTIVITY STUDY OF THE INTERFACIAL REGIONS BETWEEN IONOMERS AND VAN DER WAALS POLYMERS ..............................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Introduction to Neutron Reflectometry
    INTRODUCTION TO NEUTRON REFLECTOMETRY Giovanna Fragneto Institut Laue-Langevin The importance of interfaces They are everywhere: our body, food we eat, drinks, plants, animals, soil, atmosphere, manufacturing, chemical factories…. In many cases interfaces have a significant effect in the behaviour of a system ! Examples: Inner lining of lung: surfactants prevent lung from collapsing at the end of expiration Nanotechnology: solid surfaces are the places where the processes of interest take place Detergency! Biofouling Why Neutron Reflectometry? Probe relevant lengths (Å to µm) Sensitive to light elements (H, C, O, N) Buried systems and complex sample environment Possibility of isotopic labelling Non-destructive REFLECTOMETRY 1-5000 Å Specular θi=θf Reflectivity •Thickness of layers at measurements: interfaces •Roughness/interdiffusion •Composition in the direction normal to the interface MomentumMomentum transfer transfer parallel in xz plane surface normal In-plane features (height fluctuations, domains, holes ...) can be probed by off- specular measurements: for thin films synchrotron radiation is more suitable Scattering length density profile extracted from data analysis Liquid D2O z Solid Si-SiO2 1675 - Newton realised that the colour of the light reflected by a thin film illuminated by a parallel beam of white light could be used to obtain a measure of the film thickness. Spectral colours develop as a result of interference between light reflected from the front and back surfaces of the film. 1922 - Compton showed that x-ray reflection is governed by the same laws as reflection of light but with different refractive indices depending on the number of electrons per unit volume. 1944 - Fermi and Zinn first demonstrated the mirror reflection of neutrons.
    [Show full text]
  • A Compact Accelerator- Based Neutron Source for Canada?
    A Compact Accelerator‐ Based Neutron Source for Canada? A Discussion Paper for the Sylvia Fedoruk Canadian Centre For Nuclear Innovation By Daniel Banks and Zin Tun, Canadian Neutron Beam Centre February 2019 Executive Summary Neutron beams are an essential part of the 21st century toolkit for the science and engineering of materials. Canada has, until now, relied on a major multi-purpose research reactor, the NRU reactor in Chalk River, as its neutron source. Its replacement is expected to cost $1-2B. Many other countries have recently invested in new, high-brightness neutron sources with capital costs of $0.5B to $3B. These price tags pose a challenge, and the re-investment rate is not keeping pace with actual and expected facility closures. A less expensive, alternative technology, called a Compact Accelerator-Based Neutron Source (CANS), is being developed in Europe. A CANS has lower regulatory requirements and could easily be located at a university. A CANS can be tailored for the high demand “workhorse” neutron beam methods. Common applications of these methods include the study of new materials for clean energy technologies, of light-weighting technology for critical parts in cars and airplanes, or of biomolecules in our own bodies with implications for maintaining health or treating disease. Because CANS technology has modular aspects, it would be possible to begin with an entry- level facility (e.g. $15-20M) and upgrade it over time into a national facility (e.g. $75-100M). Another possibility is to distribute a set of specialized facilities across the country. A single high-end CANS, or a set of smaller facilities, could replace most of the neutron beam capabilities of the NRU reactor.
    [Show full text]
  • Polarized Neutron Reflectometry
    Polarized Neutron Reflectometry C. F. Majkrzak,1 K. V. O’Donovan,1,2,3 N. F. Berk1 1Center for Neutron Research, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA 2University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA 3University of California, Irvine, CA 92697 April 16, 2004 Contents 1 Polarized Neutron Reflectometry 3 1.1 Introduction............................ 3 1.2 Fundamental Theory of Neutron Reflectivity . 6 1.2.1 Wave Equation in Three Dimensions . 8 1.2.2 RefractiveIndex . 10 1.2.3 Specular Reflection from a Perfectly Flat Slab: The Wave Equation in One Dimension . 11 1.2.4 Specular Reflection from a Film with a Nonuniform SLDProfile ........................ 16 1.2.5 BornApproximation . 18 1.2.6 NonspecularReflection . 19 1.3 Spin-Dependent Neutron Wave Function . 21 1.3.1 Neutron Magnetic Moment and Spin Angular Momentum 21 1.3.2 Explicit Form of the Spin-Dependent Neutron Wave Function.......................... 22 1.3.3 Polarization ........................ 24 1.3.4 Selecting a Neutron Polarization State . 26 1.3.5 Changing a Neutron’s Polarization . 28 1.4 Spin-Dependent Neutron Reflectivity . 36 1.4.1 Spin-Dependent Reflection from a Magnetic Film in Vacuum Referred to Reference Frame of Film . 37 1.4.2 Magnetic Media Surrounding Film . 53 1.4.3 CoordinateSystem Transformation . 55 1.4.4 Selection Rules “of Thumb” . 58 1.4.5 Three-Dimensional Polarization Analysis . 61 1.4.6 Elementary Spin-Dependent Reflectivity Examples . 63 1.5 Experimentalmethods . 66 1 1.6 An Illustrative Application of PNR . 70 1.6.1 Symmetries of Reflectance Matrices .
    [Show full text]
  • Neutron Reflectometry for Studying Corrosion and Corrosion Inhibition
    metals Review Neutron Reflectometry for Studying Corrosion and Corrosion Inhibition Mary H. Wood † and Stuart M. Clarke * ID BP Institute and Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +44-1223-765700 † Current address: Department of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK. Received: 20 July 2017; Accepted: 2 August 2017; Published: 8 August 2017 Abstract: Neutron reflectometry is an extremely powerful technique to monitor chemical and morphological changes at interfaces at the angstrom-level. Its ability to characterise metal, oxide and organic layers simultaneously or separately and in situ makes it an excellent tool for fundamental studies of corrosion and particularly adsorbed corrosion inhibitors. However, apart from a small body of key studies, it has yet to be fully exploited in this area. We present here an outline of the experimental method with particular focus on its application to the study of corrosive systems. This is illustrated with recent examples from the literature addressing corrosion, inhibition and related phenomena. Keywords: neutron reflectometry; corrosion; corrosion inhibition; adsorption 1. Introduction The extensive costs of corrosion are well documented, with around 3–4% of the GDP of industrialised countries spent dealing with its effects [1,2]. There exist many excellent texts covering the basics of corrosion [3]; briefly, it is defined as the oxidative degradation of materials, mainly the dissolution of metals and often reprecipitation of corrosive products at the surface. It can be uniform or localised (e.g., pitting), each of which raise different issues for both industrial engineers and scientists studying the phenomena.
    [Show full text]
  • Reflectometry Involves Measurement of the Intensity of a Beam of Electromagnetic Radiation Or Particle Waves Reflected by a Planar Surface Or by Planar Interfaces
    Application of polarized neutron reflectometry to studies of artificially structured magnetic materials M. R. Fitzsimmons Los Alamos National Laboratory Los Alamos, NM 87545 USA and C.F. Majkrzak National Institute of Standards and Technology Gaithersburg, MD 20899 USA 1 Introduction......................................................................................................................... 3 Neutron scattering in reflection (Bragg) geometry............................................................. 5 Reflectometry with unpolarized neutron beams ............................................................. 5 Theoretical Example 1: Reflection from a perfect interface surrounded by media of infinite extent ............................................................................................................ 10 Theoretical Example 2: Reflection from perfectly flat stratified media................... 11 Theoretical Example 3: Reflection from “real-world” stratified media ................... 15 Reflectometry with polarized neutron beams ............................................................... 20 Theoretical Example 4: Reflection of a polarized neutron beam from a magnetic film ................................................................................................................................... 23 Influence of imperfect polarization on the reflectivity ............................................. 25 “Vector” magnetometry with polarized neutron beams............................................ 27 Theoretical
    [Show full text]
  • NIST Center for Neutron Research: 2013 Accomplishments And
    NIST SP 1168 ON THE COVER The penetration depth and orientation of a single myristoylated GRASP protein bound to a lipid membrane as determined by neutron reflectometry. See the highlight article by Zan et al. on p.12. NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY – NIST CENTER FOR NEUTRON RESEARCH 2013 Accomplishments and Opportunities NIST Special Publication 1168 Robert M. Dimeo, Director Steven R. Kline, Editor December 2013 National Institute of Standards and Technology Patrick Gallagher, Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and Director U.S. Department of Commerce Penny Pritzker, Secretary 2013 ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES DISCLAIMER Certain commercial entities, equipment, or materials may be identified in this document in order to describe an experimental procedure or concept adequately. Such identification is not intended to imply recommendation or endorsement by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, nor is it intended to imply that the entities, materials, or equipment are necessarily the best available for the purpose. National Institute of Standards and Technology Special Publications 1168 Natl. Inst. Stand. Technol. Spec. Publ. 1168, 84 pages (December 2013) http://dx.doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.1168 CODEN: NSPUE2 U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE- WASHINGTON: 2013 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Internet: bookstore.gpo.gov Phone: 1.866.512.1800 Fax: 202.512.2104 Mail: Stop SSOP Washington, DC 20402-0001 NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY – NIST CENTER FOR NEUTRON RESEARCH Table of Contents FOREWORD .................................................................iii THE NIST CENTER FOR NEUTRON RESEARCH ..................................... 1 NIST CENTER FOR NEUTRON RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS ............................ 2 NCNR IMAGES 2013 .
    [Show full text]
  • Neutron Reflectometry
    Ill HU9900726 NEUTRON REFLECTOMETRY A.A. van Well IRI, Delft 1. INTRODUCTION On July 14, 1944, Fermi discovered that neutrons could be totally reflected from a surface [1]. The recognition that this was a direct consequence of the wave character of the neutron resulted in the assessment of many analogies between neutrons and light. This part offieutron research where reflection, refraction, and interference play an essential role is generally Teferred"to as 'neutron optics'. Klein and Werner |2, 5\ give an extensive review of many aspects of neutron optics. For a very good and clear introduction in this field, we refer to Sears [4]. Analogous to optics with visible light, a refractive index n for neutron can be defined for each material. If we define n = 1 in vacuum, it appears that for almost all materials the refractive index for thermal neutrons is smaller than unity. The deviations from 1 are in the order of 10~5. This implies that for most materials total reflection will occur at small glancing angles (of the of a fraction of 1 degree) coming from the vacuum (or air), just opposite the normal situation for light. The ifeutron wavelength, the scattering length density and the magnetic properties of the material determine the critical angle for total reflection. We"wilT come bacYTcHfiTs~TrTcretail in tHe~next""sections. TotaTrefTection ot neutrons fs extensively applied in the determination of the neutron scattering length [5], for the transport of neutrons over long distances (10 - 100 m) in neutron guides [6], in filter systems [7], and neutron polarisers [8-10].
    [Show full text]
  • Neutron Reflectometry Workshop Report
    Report on Neutron Reflectometry for the Australian Research Reactor Prepared by participants at the Neutron Reflectometry Workshop, held at ANSTO on the 8-9th of May, 2001. Edited: Michael James Contents Executive Summary........................................................................................................................3 1. Introduction................................................................................................................................4 2. Scientific Case for a Neutron Reflectometer at the RRR. ...........................................................5 3. Recent Developments in Reflectometry Science..........................................................................9 4. Aspects of Instrument Design ...................................................................................................12 5. Requested Performance Specifications.....................................................................................13 6. Preliminary Outline of Possible Instrument .............................................................................15 7. Calculations to Optimise Design Characteristics......................................................................17 8. Summary...................................................................................................................................21 References ....................................................................................................................................22 Appendix A - Workshop Attendees
    [Show full text]
  • Introduction to Small-Angle Neutron Scattering and Neutron Reflectometry
    Introduction to Small-Angle Neutron Scattering and Neutron Reflectometry Andrew J Jackson NIST Center for Neutron Research May 2008 Contents 1 Introduction 2 2 Neutron Scattering 2 2.1 Neutron-nucleus interaction . 2 2.2 Scattering Cross Section . 4 2.3 Coherent and Incoherent Cross Sections . 6 3 Small Angle Neutron Scattering 6 3.1 General Two Phase System . 8 4 Analysis of Small Angle Scattering Data 10 4.1 Model Independent Analysis . 10 4.1.1 The Scattering Invariant . 10 4.1.2 Porod Scattering . 11 4.1.3 Guinier Analysis . 11 4.2 Model Dependent Analysis . 12 4.2.1 The Form Factor for Spheres . 13 4.2.2 The Form Factor for Cylinders . 14 4.3 Contrast Variation . 15 4.4 Polydispersity . 15 5 Neutron Reflectometry 16 5.1 Specular Reflection . 17 5.1.1 Classical Optics . 18 5.1.2 Interfacial Roughness . 19 5.1.3 Kinematic (Born) Approximation . 20 6 Analysis of Reflectometry Data 20 7 Recommended Reading 22 7.1 Neutron Scattering . 22 1 7.2 Small Angle Neutron Scattering . 22 7.3 Reflectometry . 22 8 Acknowledgements 22 9 References 22 9.1 Scattering and Optics . 23 9.2 Reflectometry . 23 A Radius of Gyration of Some Homogeneous Bodies 24 1 Introduction The neutron is a spin 1/2 sub-atomic particle with mass equivalent to 1839 electrons (1.674928×10−27 −27 −1 kg), a magnetic moment of -1.9130427 µn (-9.6491783×10 JT ) and a lifetime of 15 minutes (885.9 s). Quantum mechanics tells us that, whilst it is certainly particulate, the neutron also has a wave nature and as such can display the gamut of wave behaviors including reflection, refraction and diffraction.
    [Show full text]
  • Polarized Neutron Reflectometry HU9900463 Henk Fredrikze Interfacultair Reactor Instituut Tudelft, Mekelweg 15, 2629 JB Delft, the Netherlands
    Polarized Neutron Reflectometry HU9900463 Henk Fredrikze Interfacultair Reactor Instituut TUDelft, Mekelweg 15, 2629 JB Delft, The Netherlands 1 Introduction Approximately half a century ago (14 July 1994) Fermi observed total reflection of neutrons from an interface. This phenomenon was recognized as a direct consequence of the wave character of neutrons and lead to the field of research now called neutron optics, which includes neutron reflection, refraction and interference effects. An overview of the many aspects of neutron optics may be found in Klein and Werner or Sears. Analogously to light, an index of refraction can be defined for neutrons. The index of refraction depends on the neutron wavelength and the scatteringlength density of the ma- terial considered. For most materials the index of refraction is slightly (approximately 10~5) less than unity, the value in vacuum. Therefore total reflection is observed from most air/material interfaces at low angles. The critical angle for total reflection has been used for the determination of neutron scattering lengths. Total reflection has been applied extensively to construct neutron guides and neutron filters. Because the index of refraction depends on the direction of the neutron spin with respect to the magnetic induction in a material, the difference between spin up and spin down reflection is used to construct neutron polarizers. Only relatively recently, in the late 80's, it was recognised that the reflection pattern beyond total reflection can be used to obtain information on
    [Show full text]
  • Neutron Reflectometry — Depth Profile of the Density in a Layered Ni/Ti Film — Instrument: Morpheus
    Laboratory for Neutron Scattering Paul Scherrer Institut April 10, 2013 Neutron Reflectometry — depth profile of the density in a layered Ni/Ti film — instrument: Morpheus contact tel mail Jochen Stahn 056 310 2518 [email protected] Thomas Geue 056 310 5988 [email protected] Panagiotis Korelis 056 310 5813 [email protected] contents 1 introduction 2 2 theory 2 2.1 what is n forneutrons? ..................................... 2 2.2 what is Vi forneutrons? ..................................... 3 2.3 reflectanceofaninterface . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ......... 3 2.4 thesurface:Fresnelreflectivity . ........... 4 2.5 parallel interfaces, matrix formalism . ......... 6 2.6 somenumbers...................................... ..... 7 3 the experiment 8 3.1 thesample......................................... .... 8 3.2 measurementscheme,angledispersivemode . ........... 9 3.3 alignment&measurements ............................. ...... 9 3.4 datareduction ..................................... ..... 11 3.5 protocol......................................... ..... 12 references [1] F. Ott: Neutron scattering on magnetic surfaces Comptes Rendus Physique 8 763 - 776 (2007). DOI 10.1016/j.crhy.2007.09.002 [2] J. Daillant, A. Gibaud, editors: X-ray and Neutron Reflectivity Lect. Notes Phys. 770, Springer, Berlin Heidelberg 2009. DOI 10.1007/978-3-450-88588-7 1 introduction Neutron reflectometry is a method to probe the laterally averaged nuclear and magnetic depth profiles close to a flat surface. More precisely this means: The reflectivity one gets from a surface of at least some mm2 allows to validate (or falsify) a model of this surface describing its density and composition, and the in-plane magnetic induction. This method probes the density averaged laterally (parallel to the surface) over some 10 µm, but with a depth resolution of atomic dimensions. On the other side structures thicker than 0.5 µm can hardly be resolved.
    [Show full text]
  • Application of Precise Neutron Focusing Mirrors for Neutron Reflectometry: Latest Results and Future Prospects ISSN 1600-5767
    research papers Application of precise neutron focusing mirrors for neutron reflectometry: latest results and future prospects ISSN 1600-5767 Norifumi L. Yamada,a,b* Takuya Hosobata,c Fumiya Nemoto,a,d Koichiro Hori,a,e Masahiro Hino,f Jun Izumi,g Kota Suzuki,g,h Masaaki Hirayama,g,h Ryoji Kannoh and Yutaka Yamagatac Received 15 June 2020 Accepted 26 September 2020 aInstitute of Materials Structure Science, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization, Tokai, Naka, Ibaraki 319-1106, Japan, bMaterials and Life Science Experimental Facility, Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex, Tokai, Naka, Ibaraki 319-1195, Japan, cRIKEN Center for Advanced Photonics, RIKEN, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan, dDepartment Edited by E. P. Gilbert, ANSTO, Kirrawee DC, of Materials Science and Engineering, National Defense Academy, Yokosuka, Kanagawa 239-8686, Japan, eSumitomo Australia Rubber Industries Ltd, Kobe, Hyogo 651-0071, Japan, fKyoto University Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science, Kumatori, Osaka 590-0494, Japan, gInterdisciplinary Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Tokyo Keywords: neutron reflectometry; focusing Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8502, Japan, and hAll-Solid-State Battery Unit, Institute of Innovation mirrors; Li-ion batteries. Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8503, Japan. *Correspondence e-mail: [email protected] Supporting information: this article has supporting information at journals.iucr.org/j Neutron reflectometry (NR) is a powerful tool for providing insight into the evolution of interfacial structures, for example via operando measurements for electrode–electrolyte interfaces, with a spatial resolution of nanometres. The time resolution of NR, which ranges from seconds to minutes depending on the reflection intensity, unfortunately remains low, particularly for small samples made of state-of-the-art materials even with the latest neutron reflectometers.
    [Show full text]