In situ electrochemical small-angle neutron scattering (eSANS) for quantitative structure and redox properties of polymer-coated nanoparticles
ORAL
Abstract
Rapid growth in nanomaterial applications (energy, cosmetics and healthcare products) highlights limitations of available physicochemical characterization methods. An in situ electrochemical small-angle neutron scattering (eSANS) methodology was devised that enables direct measurements of nano and colloid material dispersion structure while undergoing reduction-oxidation (redox) reactions. By combining the electrochemical signal with contrast variant SANS, the structure of the polymer-nanoparticle complexes can be examined under electrochemical conditions. Specially-synthesized poly(ethyleneglycol)-stabilized zinc oxide nanoparticles were examined by eSANS showing an irreversible change in nanoparticle-complex structure during the potential cycle. We will report on the kinetics of the nanoparticle transformation as measured at BL-6 EQSANS, Spallation Neutron Source, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
*ORNL Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences and Spallation Neutron Source under user proposal 2011-125, sponsored by the Scientific User Facilities Division, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, DOE
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