Small Angle Neutron Scattering as a Tool to Study Kinetics of Block Copolymer Micelles

Small-angle scattering has long proven capability to extract very detailed unparalleled structural information on the self-assembly of amphiphilic molecules into micelles, membranes, etc. With the advent of ever more powerful neutron/synchrotron sources and better instrumentation, the acquisition time necessary for good structural characterizations is now decreasing towards the second and even sub-second range. This allows for faster time resolved experiment where one can observe kinetics, transport processes such as diffusion as well as structural transitions occurring in the material in real time. Here we will focus on problems related to the kinetics of micelles constituted by amphiphilic molecules and block copolymers. We will discuss how SAS and especially neutron scattering in combination with hydrogen/deuterium isotopic substitution can provide very useful and detailed insight into the equilibrium and non-equilibrium behaviour of micellar systems. Whenever relevant we will highlight the complementarity between X-ray and neutron scattering to resolve such problems.