We have directly observed the <i>in situ</i> self-assembly kinetics of polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) micelles by synchrotron time-resolved small-angle X-ray scattering, equipped with a stopped-flow device that provides millisecond temporal resolution. This work has elucidated one general kinetic pathway for the process of PEC micelle formation, which provides useful physical insights for increasing our fundamental understanding of complexation and self-assembly dynamics driven by electrostatic interactions that occur on ultrafast timescales.
In situ time-resolved small-angle X-ray scattering is introduced to monitor diffusion of a solvent into a polymer and into sub-100 nm ceramic hollow nanoparticles.
Depending on the volume fraction and interparticle interactions, colloidal suspensions can form different phases, ranging from fluids, crystals, and glasses to gels. For soft microgels that are made from thermoresponsive...
In situ characterization of block copolymer ordering on chemically nanopatterned surfaces by time-resolved small angle x-ray scattering