Recent Study of Small-Angle Neutron Scattering Spectrometer Suanni on Elastomer Nanocomposites

The small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) spectrometer Suanni at CMRR has been brought into operation since 2014 [1]. The SANS-Suanni can achieve a maximum-q up to 10.5 nm-1. In this report, we will discuss some applications on the polymeric materials. By combining extensional rheological and in situ SANS techniques, the correlation between chain deformation and morphology of flow-induced crystallization has been studied [2]. The structure decomposition of silica-filled silicone rubber via the contrast variation SANS technique was presented. SANS results suggested unambiguously the existence of a bound rubber layer with thickness of ca. 8.5 nm [3]. Recently, the correlation between macroscopic mechanical properties and microscopic structures of an optimized silica fraction in silicone rubber was investigated. An optimum filler fraction ranges from 40~50 phr was found, in which the best performances of reinforcement and themorpholog were shown. [4].

Reference:
[1] M Peng*, L Sun, et al., Nucl. Instrum. Meth. Phys. Res., Sect. A, 2016, 810: 63-67;
[2] W Chen, D Liu*, et al., Polymer Crystallization, 2019; 2: e10043.
[3] D Liu*, J Chen, et al., Polymer, 120 (2017) 155-163
[4] D Liu*, L Song, et al., Comp Sci. Tech., 165 (2018) 373–379.