Small-angle neutron scattering studies of the initial stages of spinodal decomposition

ANYL 460

Timothy J. Rappl, rapplt@uclink.berkeley.edu, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, D52 Tan Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720-1462 and Nitash P. Balsara, nbalsara@cchem.berkeley.edu, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, 201 Gillman Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720-1462.
The initial stages of spinodal decomposition were studied by subjecting a critical blend of model polyolefins to a pressure quench and monitoring the evolution by time-resolved small angle neutron scattering. Contrary to the predictions of the widely accepted Cahn-Hilliard-Cook theory, we demonstrate that coarsening of the phase separated structure begins immediately after the quench and occurs throughout the initial stages of spinodal decomposition.
 

Preparing for the Bright Future of Neutron Scattering in the U.S.: State of the Art in Neutron-Based Analysis
8:30 AM-11:40 AM, Thursday, 1 September 2005 Washington DC Convention Center -- 155, Oral

Division of Analytical Chemistry

The 230th ACS National Meeting, in Washington, DC, Aug 28-Sept 1, 2005