Microfocus X-Ray Scattering Scanning Microscopy for Polymer Applications

Microbeam two-dimensional small-angle X-ray scattering investigating the effects of reduced graphene oxide on local microstructures of high-density polyethylene/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite bars

It has been reported that the introduction of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) can enhance the crystallization and orientation of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) matrix and thus improve the mechanical properties of HDPE/RGO nanocomposites. In this study, the local microstructures and orientations in different regions of HDPE/RGO bars with varied RGO contents were further explored by two-dimensional small-angle X-ray scattering using a microbeam technique. It is unveiled that the orientation orderings of each position is intensified with increasing RGO amount, and of particular interest is the observation of the slight change of the ordering degrees in diverse zones of HDPE/RGO nanocomposite bars, indicating that RGO imposes a uniform enhancing effect upon HDPE matrix within different areas and consequently induces an effective increase of the mechanical properties of HDPE/RGO nanocomposites.

Scanning X-ray diffraction on cardiac tissue: automatized data analysis and processing

A scanning X-ray diffraction study of cardiac tissue has been performed, covering the entire cross section of a mouse heart slice. To this end, moderate focusing by compound refractive lenses to micrometer spot size, continuous scanning, data acquisition by a fast single-photon-counting pixel detector, and fully automated analysis scripts have been combined. It was shown that a surprising amount of structural data can be harvested from such a scan, evaluating the local scattering intensity, interfilament spacing of the muscle tissue, the filament orientation, and the degree of anisotropy. The workflow of data analysis is described and a data analysis toolbox with example data for general use is provided. Since many cardiomyopathies rely on the structural integrity of the sarcomere, the contractile unit of cardiac muscle cells, the present study can be easily extended to characterize tissue from a diseased heart.

Deformation-Induced Phase Transitions in iPP Polymorphs

This detailed study reveals the relation between structural evolution and the mechanical response of α -, β - and γ -iPP. Uni-axial compression experiments, combined with in situ WAXD measurements, allowed for the identification of the evolution phenomena in terms of phase composition. Tensile experiments in combination with SAXS revealed orientation and voiding phenomena, as well as structural evolution in the thickness of the lamellae and amorphous layers. On the level of the crystallographic unit cell, the WAXD experiments provided insight into the early stages of deformation. Moreover, transitions in the crystal phases taking place in the larger deformation range and the orientation of crystal planes were monitored. At all stretching temperatures, the crystallinity decreases upon deformation, and depending on the temperature, different new structures are formed. Stretching at low temperatures leads to crystal destruction and the formation of the oriented mesophase, independent of the initial polymorph. At high temperatures, above T α c , all polymorphs transform into oriented α -iPP. Small quantities of the initial structures remain present in the material. The compression experiments, where localization phenomena are excluded, show that these transformations take place at similar strains for all polymorphs. For the post yield response, the strain hardening modulus is decisive for the mechanical behavior, as well as for the orientation of lamellae and the evolution of void fraction and dimensions. β -iPP shows by far the most intense voiding in the entire experimental temperature range. The macroscopic localization behavior and strain at which the transition from disk-like void shapes, oriented with the normal in tensile direction, into fibrillar structures takes place is directly correlated with the strain hardening modulus.

Directed Growth of Virus Nanofilaments on a Superhydrophobic Surface

The evaporation of single droplets of colloidal tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) nanoparticles on a superhydrophobic surface with a hexagonal pillar-pattern results in the formation of coffee-ring type residues. We imaged surface features by optical, scanning electron, and atomic force microscopies. Bulk features were probed by raster-scan X-ray nanodiffraction. At ∼100 pg/μL nanoparticle concentration, the rim of the residue connects to neighboring pillars via fibrous extensions containing flow-aligned crystalline domains. At ∼1 pg/μL nanoparticle concentration, nanofilaments of ≥80 nm diameter and ∼20 μm length are formed, extending normal to the residue-rim across a range of pillars. X-ray scattering is dominated by the nanofilament form-factor but some evidence for crystallinity has been obtained. The observation of sheets composed of stacks of self-assembled nanoparticles deposited on pillars suggests that the nanofilaments are drawn from a structured droplet interface.

Local study of fissure caries by Fourier transform infrared microscopy and X-ray diffraction using synchrotron radiation

Investigations of intact dental enamel as well as carious-affected human dental enamel were performed using infrared spectromicroscopy and X-ray diffraction applying synchrotron radiation. Caries of enamel was shown to be characterized by an increase in the number of deformation and valence vibrations for N-C-O, N-H and C=O bonds, a decrease of the crystallinity index, and by the absence of the preferable orientation of hydroxyapatite crystals within the affected enamel. This indicates the presence of destructive processes in the organic matrix of hard tooth tissues.