Contrast dependence of scattering profiles for poly(ethylene glycol) in water; Investigation by small-angle neutron scattering with He spin filter and small-angle X-ray scattering

Ryoki, Akiyuki*; Watanabe, Fumi*; Okudaira, Takuya*; Takahashi, Shingo*; Oku, Takayuki   ; Hiroi, Kosuke  ; Motokawa, Ryuhei   ; Nakamura, Yo*

Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements were performed for deuterated and non-deuterated poly(ethylene glycol) (d-PEG and h-PEG, respectively) in DO and a DO/HO mixed solvent (Mix) to compere the scattering profiles. To determine the coherent scattering intensity of SANS, a He spin filter was utilized. The scattering profiles determined by SANS measurements were analyzed in terms of the wormlike chain model with touched beads along the contour of the chain. However, the SAXS profiles were not explained by the same model with uniform beads but with beads each consisting of a core and a shell having different electron densities. To explore the chain thickness determined form the SANS profile, scattering intensities for different combinations of d-PEG/DO, d-PEG/Mix, h-PEG/DO, and h-PEG/Mix were also examined.