In situ and real-time small-angle neutron scattering studies of living anionic polymerization process and polymerization-induced self-assembly of block copolymers

Abstract Major challenges for optimizing the benefits of fish oil on human health are improved bioavailability while overcoming the strong odor and avoiding significant oxidation of the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). The scalable continuous flow thin film vortex fluidic device (VFD) improves the Tween 20 encapsulation of fish oil relative to conventional homogenization processing, with the fish oil particles significantly smaller and the content of the valuable omega-3 fatty acids higher. In addition, after 14 days storage the remaining omega-3 fatty acids content was higher, from ca 31.0% for raw fish oil to ca 62.0% of freeze-dried encapsulated fish oil. The VFD mediated encapsulated fish oil was used to enrich the omega-3 fatty acid content of apple juice, as a model water-based food product, without changing its sensory values. The versatility of the VFD was further demonstrated in forming homogenous suspensions of fish oil containing water-insoluble bioactive molecules, curcumin and quercetin. We have also captured, for the first time, real-time structural changes in nanoencapsulation by installing a VFD with in in situ small angle neutron scattering. Real-time measurements afford valuable insights about self-assembly in solution.

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Morphology of crystalline–amorphous olefin block copolymers in solution characterized by small-angle neutron scattering and microscopy

Journal of Applied Crystallography ◽

10.1107/s1600576715019226 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 48 (6) ◽

pp. 1860-1869 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Aurel Radulescu ◽

Günter Goerigk ◽

Lewis Fetters ◽

Dieter Richter

Keyword(s):

Block Copolymers ◽

Neutron Scattering ◽

Small Angle ◽

Self Assembly ◽

Small Angle Neutron Scattering ◽

Chain Structure ◽

Hierarchical Organization ◽

Single Chain ◽

Scanning Calorimetry ◽

Assembly Behavior

The single-chain properties and self-assembly behavior in dilute solution of olefin block copolymers obtained by chain-shuttling technology and consisting of alternating crystallizable and amorphous ethylene/1-octene blocks were investigated by pinhole and focusing small-angle neutron scattering techniques, optical microscopy in bright-field and crossed-polarizer modes, and differential scanning calorimetry. The complex hydrocarbon soluble (precipitant free) macro-aggregates formed with decreasing temperature are characterized by spherulitic textures. The spherulites yield, on one hand, a morphology that depends on the chain structure properties and, on the other hand, multiple structural levels with a hierarchical organization that ranges from 10 Å up to tens of micrometres. This morphology displays peculiarities dictated by the polydisperse character of these materials.

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Probing the dynamic self-assembly behaviour of photoswitchable wormlike micelles in real-time

Soft Matter ◽

10.1039/c8sm01948g ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 15 (6) ◽

pp. 1253-1259 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Elaine A. Kelly ◽

Judith E. Houston ◽

Rachel C. Evans

Keyword(s):

Neutron Scattering ◽

Real Time ◽

Absorption Spectroscopy ◽

Small Angle ◽

Self Assembly ◽

Small Angle Neutron Scattering ◽

Wormlike Micelles

UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy is combined with small-angle neutron scattering to monitor the dynamic self-assembly of an azobenzene photosurfactant from worm-like micelles to fractals during photoisomerization.

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