Real Time SAXS Analysis on Nanosystems

Full text: Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) has developed as a powerful working horse in almost all synchrotrons in the world. Its fundamental strength is the capability of in situ investigations for all states of matter - gas, liquid and solid as well as probing materials in bulk, surface sensitive (grazing incidence SAXS) or with high local spatial resolution (scanning SAXS). This presentation should summarize the current state of the art investigating self-assembly processes i.e. watching molecules in situ to form nano(bio)materials or the in situ response of supramolecular structures to physical/chemical parameter changes as temperature, stretch etc. Some highlights of the current research covering the fields of life sciences till nanomaterials will be discussed and will include the above mentioned application areas of the SAXS and GISAXS technique. The examples will range - to name just a few from self-assembly of nanotubes in form of helical ribbons, in situ study of the formation of mesoporous materials on surfaces as well as in solution, to self-assembly of nanoparticles. At the same time, for advanced studies on nanomaterials, the integration of in situ chemical and physical perturbation techniques into the experimental set-up is a prerequisite. Some sophisticated instrumental developments like ultrafast mixers with μs-resolution, in situ aerosol reactors, or optical tweezers are presented with adequate examples. (author)