Rapid contrast matching by microfluidic SANS
File(s)Microflow SANS - Adamo et al.pdf (2.74 MB) Microflow CV Supplementary Information 2017.pdf (1.21 MB)
Accepted version
Supporting information
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
We report a microfluidic approach to perform small angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements of contrast variation and matching, extensively employed in soft and biological matter research. We integrate a low scattering background microfluidic mixer and serpentine channel in a SANS beamline to yield a single phase, continuous flow, reconfigurable liquid cell. By contrast with conventional, sequential measurements of discrete (typically 4–6) solutions of varying isotopic solvent composition, our approach continually varies solution composition during SANS acquisition. We experimentally and computationally determine the effects of flow dispersion and neutron beam overillumination of microchannels in terms of the composition resolution and precision. The approach is demonstrated with model systems: H2O/D2O mixtures, a surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS), a triblock copolymer (pluronic F127), and silica nanoparticles (Ludox) in isotopic aqueous mixtures. The system is able to zoom into a composition window to refine contrast matching conditions, and robustly resolve solute structure and form factors by simultaneous fitting of scattering data with continuously varying contrast. We conclude by benchmarking our microflow-SANS with the discrete approach, in terms of volume required, composition resolution and (preparation and measurement) time required, proposing a leap forward in equilibrium, liquid solution phase mapping and contrast variation by SANS.
Date Issued
2017-03-28
Date Acceptance
2017-03-27
Citation
Lab on a Chip, 2017, 17 (9), pp.1559-1569
ISSN
1473-0189
Publisher
Royal Society of Chemistry
Start Page
1559
End Page
1569
Journal / Book Title
Lab on a Chip
Volume
17
Issue
9
Copyright Statement
© The Royal Society of Chemistry 2017
Subjects
Science & Technology
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Physical Sciences
Biochemical Research Methods
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chemistry, Analytical
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chemistry
Science & Technology - Other Topics
X-RAY-SCATTERING
SAMPLE-PREPARATION PLATFORM
ANGLE NEUTRON-SCATTERING
FRONTAL PHOTOPOLYMERIZATION
FLOW
SURFACTANT
DIFFUSION
SAXS
CHIP
MICELLES
Publication Status
Published