Gravimetric and density profiling using the combination of surface acoustic waves and neutron reflectivity

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2017-02-01Keyword
Neutron reflectivityLove wave gravimetry
Interfacial characterisation
Thin film microstructure
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(c) 016 The Authors. This is an Open Access article distributed under the Creative Commons CC-BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)Peer-Reviewed
YesOpen Access status
openAccessAccepted for publication
2016-10-18
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A new approach is described herein, where neutron reflectivity measurements that probe changes in the density profile of thin films as they absorb material from the gas phase have been combined with a Love wave based gravimetric assay that measures the mass of absorbed material. This combination of techniques not only determines the spatial distribution of absorbed molecules, but also reveals the amount of void space within the thin film (a quantity that can be difficult to assess using neutron reflectivity measurements alone). The uptake of organic solvent vapours into spun cast films of polystyrene has been used as a model system with a view to this method having the potential for extension to the study of other systems. These could include, for example, humidity sensors, hydrogel swelling, biomolecule adsorption or transformations of electroactive and chemically reactive thin films. This is the first ever demonstration of combined neutron reflectivity and Love wave-based gravimetry and the experimental caveats, limitations and scope of the method are explored and discussed in detail.Version
Published versionCitation
Toolan DTW, Barker R, Gough T et al (2017) Gravimetric and density profiling using the combination of surface acoustic waves and neutron reflectivity. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science. 487: 465-474.Link to Version of Record
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2016.10.039Type
Articleae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2016.10.039