Analyses of hierarchical structures in polymeric materials by using quantum beam

This commentary first shows how to analyze the hierarchical structures of polymers using quantum beams. Taking linear low-density polyethylene as an example, it shows the results of studying the hierarchical structures of the spherulite structure of this polymer, using ultra-small-angle X-ray scattering (USAXS) method, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) method, and wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) method in combination. It was found that the structural change following elongation deformation is greatly different depending on each hierarchical structure, and that the stress-strain curve and the heterogeneous deformation of density fluctuation on submicron scale are closely related. Next, this paper shows the results of clarifying the spatial heterogeneity of the block copolymer thin film nanostructure using a new method. In this method, the scattered signals measured at each pixel of two-dimensional images obtained through grazing incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS) method is reconstructed into two-dimensional images using computer tomography (CT). Since the GISAXS-CT method reconstructs images from the signals due to scattering contrast, it can be applied to the specimens that form the structure. By applying GISAXS-CT measurement with different incident angles to multi-layer specimens made of polymer-inorganic materials, it is possible to obtain structural information from each material separately. (A.O.)