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This paper presents the first worldwide inter-laboratory comparison of small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) for nanoparticle sizing. The measurands in this comparison are the mean particle radius, the width of the size distribution and the particle concentration. The investigated sample consists of dispersed silver nanoparticles, surrounded by a stabilizing polymeric shell of poly(acrylic acid). The silver cores dominate the X-ray scattering pattern, leading to the determination of their radius size distribution using (i) the generalized indirect Fourier transformation method, (ii) classical model fitting using SASfit and (iii) a Monte Carlo fitting approach using McSAS. The application of these three methods to the collected data sets from the various laboratories produces consistent mean number- and volume-weighted core radii of Rn = 2.76 (6) nm and Rv = 3.20 (4) nm, respectively. The corresponding widths of the lognormal radius distribution of the particles were σn = 0.65 (1) nm and σv = 0.71 (1) nm. The particle concentration determined using this method was 3.0 (4) g l−1 or 4.2 (7) × 10−6 mol l−1. These results are affected slightly by the choice of data evaluation procedure, but not by the instruments: the participating laboratories at synchrotron SAXS beamlines, commercial and in-house-designed instruments were all able to provide highly consistent data. This demonstrates that SAXS is a suitable method for revealing particle size distributions in the sub-20 nm region (at minimum), out of reach for most other analytical methods.
We demonstrate a strategy for simulating wide-range X-ray scattering patterns, which spans the small- and wide scattering angles as well as the scattering angles typically used for Pair Distribution Function (PDF) analysis. Such simulated patterns can be used to test holistic analysis models, and, since the diffraction intensity is on the same scale as the scattering intensity, may offer a novel pathway for determining the degree of crystallinity.
The "Ultima Ratio" strategy is demonstrated on a 64-nm Metal Organic Framework (MOF) particle, calculated from Q < 0.01 1/nm up to Q < 150 1/nm, with a resolution of 0.16 Angstrom. The computations exploit a modified 3D Fast Fourier Transform (3D-FFT), whose modifications enable the transformations of matrices at least up to 8000^3 voxels in size. Multiple of these modified 3D-FFTs are combined to improve the low-Q behaviour. The resulting curve is compared to a wide-range scattering pattern measured on a polydisperse MOF powder. While computationally intensive, the approach is expected to be useful for simulating scattering from a wide range of realistic, complex structures, from (poly-)crystalline particles to hierarchical, multicomponent structures such as viruses and catalysts.
## Summary:
This notebook and associated datasets (including VASP details) accompany a manuscript available on the ArXiv (https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2303.13435) and hopefully soon in a journal as short communication as well. Most of the details needed to understand this notebook are explained in that paper with the same title as above. For convenience, the abstract is repeated here:
## Paper abstract:
We demonstrate a strategy for simulating wide-range X-ray scattering patterns, which spans the small- and wide scattering angles as well as the scattering angles typically used for Pair Distribution Function (PDF) analysis. Such simulated patterns can be used to test holistic analysis models, and, since the diffraction intensity is presented coupled to the scattering intensity, may offer a novel pathway for determining the degree of crystallinity.
The ``Ultima Ratio'' strategy is demonstrated on a 64-nm Metal Organic Framework (MOF) particle, calculated from $Q<0.01$\,$\mathrm{nm}^{-1}$ up to $Q\approx150$\,$\mathrm{nm}^{-1}$, with a resolution of 0.16\,\AA. The computations exploit a modified 3D Fast Fourier Transform (3D-FFT), whose modifications enable the transformations of matrices at least up to $8000^3$ voxels in size. Multiple of these modified 3D-FFTs are combined to improve the low-$Q$ behaviour.
The resulting curve is compared to a wide-range scattering pattern measured on a polydisperse MOF powder.
While computationally intensive, the approach is expected to be useful for simulating scattering from a wide range of realistic, complex structures, from (poly-)crystalline particles to hierarchical, multicomponent structures such as viruses and catalysts.
Technical drawings and documents for building a compact, heated, vacuum compatible flow-through sample holder. This holder is in use at the BAM MOUSE instrument as well as at the I22 beamline at the Diamond Light Source (see references for instrument details).
This holder has several features:
- The holder can be used in vacuum environments as well as in atmosphere
- It has two G 1/4" UNF fittings to attach HPLC tubing for (optionally) flowing a medium through the sample cell
- There are two additional (unflowed) sample positions for backgrounds and calibrants, held at the same temperature
- The low-mass design coupled with a 250W heating element can achieve heating rates of 1 degree C per second, when coupled (for example) with an Omron E5CC PID controller.
- The sample holder insert can be made from various materials depending on the application. Sealing the sample from the vacuum can be achieved using kapton, teflon or Magic tape, depending on the temperature requirements. The inlet and outlet holes will need to be punctured with a needle to enable flow.
- Large exit cones ensure a clear exit angle of at least 45 degrees two theta.
- It has been tested with temperatures up to 400 degrees C.
- Compression area has been raised and polished to ensure a good vacuum seal.
Wide-range X-ray scattering datasets and analyses for all samples described in the 2020 publication "Gold and silver dichroic nanocomposite in the quest for 3D printing the Lycurgus cup". These datasets are composed by combining multiple small-angle x-ray scattering and wide-angle x-ray scattering curves into a single dataset. They have been analyzed using McSAS to extract polydispersities and volume fractions. They have been collected using the MOUSE project (instrument and methodology).
The SPONGE
(2020)
Electric Safety Interlock
(2023)
This interlock is designed to prevent electrical shock from high voltage (>60V) equipment.
While the general safety interlock can be generically applied, this particular example employs an external vacuum-activated switch. It is for safeguarding human operations inside a vacuum sample chamber while the chamber doors are open. The circuit is closed (output is active) when a sufficient level of vacuum is reached, i.e. when all accessible openings are necessarily closed.
The initial application is to interrupt power to a 220V, 250W heating cartridge (itself mounted inside a small sample holder with potentially exposed contacts) when the sample chamber is open.
The external circuit can be modified to use different interlock mechanisms as needed. Note that the external interlock circuit is only a single circuit (with two signal lines) and thus is not protected against external shorts.
To accomodate a range of safety interlocks, the 4-pin M12 connector is wired as follows: Pin 1 (Brown): +24V for power supply, max current 0.6A Pin 2 (White): Safety interlock system signal 1 (0 or 24V) Pin 3 (Blue) : Safety interlock system signal 2 (0 or 24V) Pin 4 (Black): 0V for power supply
The safety is interlocked (output active) when both signal pins are set high (24V), with sufficient current to activate the two relays. Pin 1 and 4 can be used to power safety hardware (such as light curtains or proximity detectors) with 24VDC up to a current of 0.6A. A larger power supply can be installed when higher currents are needed, while staying within the current limits imposed by the wiring cross-section.
This dataset is a complete set of raw, processed and analyzed data, complete with Jupiter notebooks, associated with the manuscript mentioned in the title.
In the manuscript, we provide a "systems architecture"-like overview and detailed discussions of the methodological and instrumental components that, together, comprise the "MOUSE" project (Methodology Optimization for Ultrafine Structure Exploration). Through this project, we aim to provide a comprehensive methodology for obtaining the highest quality X-ray scattering information (at small and wide angles) from measurements on materials science samples.
These are four datasets that were made available to the participants of the Small-angle Scattering data analysis round robin. The intent was to find out how comparable results from different researchers are, who analyse exactly the same processed, corrected dataset.
In this repository, there are:
1) a PDF document with more details for the study,
2) the datasets for people to try and fit,
3) an Excel spreadsheet to document the results.
Datasets 1 and 2 were modified from: Deumer, Jerome, & Gollwitzer, Christian. (2022). npSize_SAXS_data_PTB (Version 5) [Data set]. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5886834
Datasets 3 and 4 were collected in-house on the MOUSE instrument.
A round-robin study has been carried out to estimate the impact of the human element in small-angle scattering data analysis. Four corrected datasets were provided to participants ready for analysis. All datasets were measured on samples containing spherical scatterers, with two datasets in dilute dispersions and two from powders. Most of the 46 participants correctly identified the number of populations in the dilute dispersions, with half of the population mean entries within 1.5% and half of the population width entries within 40%. Due to the added complexity of the structure factor, far fewer people submitted answers on the powder datasets. For those that did, half of the entries for the means and widths were within 44 and 86%, respectively. This round-robin experiment highlights several causes for the discrepancies, for which solutions are proposed.
A Round Robin study has been carried out to estimate the impact of the human element in small-angle scattering data analysis. Four corrected datasets were provided to participants ready for analysis. All datasets were measured on samples containing spherical scatterers, with two datasets in dilute dispersions, and two from powders.
Most of the 46 participants correctly identified the number of populations in the dilute dispersions, with half of the population mean entries within 1.5 % and half of the population width entries within 40 %, respectively. Due to the added complexity of the structure factor, much fewer people submitted answers on the powder datasets.
For those that did, half of the entries for the means and widths were within 44 % and 86 % respectively. This Round Robin experiment highlights several causes for the discrepancies, for which solutions are proposed.
This is a set of use examples for the HDF5Translator framework. This framework lets you translate measurement files into a different (e.g. NeXus-compatible) structure, with some optional checks and conversions on the way. For an in-depth look at what it does, there is a blog post here.
The use examples provided herein are each accompanied by the measurement data necessary to test and replicate the conversion. The README.md files in each example show the steps necessary to do the conversion for each.
We encourage those who have used or adapted one or more of these exampes to create their own conversion, to get in touch with us so we may add your example to the set.
Small-angle scattering data analysis round robin - Anonymized results, figures and Jupyter notebook
(2023)
The intent of this round robin was to find out how comparable results from different researchers are, who analyse exactly the same processed, corrected dataset.
This zip file contains the anonymized results and the jupyter notebook used to do the data processing, analysis and visualisation. Additionally, TEM images of the samples are included.
Ultra-SAXS can enhance the capabilities of existing SAXS/WAXS beamlines and laboratory instruments. A compact Ultra-SAXS module has been developed, which extends the measurable q-range with 0:0015 < q 1/nm) < 0:2, allowing structural dimensions between 30 < D(nm) < 4000 to be probed in addition to the range covered by a high-end SAXS/WAXS instrument. By shifting the module components in and out on their respective motor stages, SAXS/WAXS measurements can be easily and rapidly interleaved with USAXS measurements.
Ultra-SAXS can enhance the capabilities of existing synchrotron SAXS/WAXS beamlines. A compact ultra-SAXS module has been developed, which extends the measurable q-range with 0.0015 ≤ q (nm−1) ≤ 0.2, allowing structural dimensions in the range 30 ≤ D (nm) ≤ 4000 to be probed in addition to the range covered by a high-end SAXS/WAXS instrument. By shifting the module components in and out on their respective motor stages, SAXS/WAXS measurements can be easily and rapidly interleaved with USAXS measurements. The use of vertical crystal rotation axes (horizontal diffraction) greatly simplifies the construction, at minimal cost to efficiency. In this paper, the design considerations, realization and synchrotron findings are presented. Measurements of silica spheres, an alumina membrane, and a porous carbon catalyst are provided as application examples.
Data correction is probably the least favourite activity amongst users experimenting with small-angle X-ray scattering: if it is not done sufficiently well, this may become evident only during the data analysis stage, necessitating the repetition of the data corrections from scratch. A recommended comprehensive sequence of elementary data correction steps is presented here to alleviate the difficulties associated with data correction, both in the laboratory and at the synchrotron. When applied in the proposed order to the raw signals, the resulting absolute scattering cross section will provide a high degree of accuracy for a very wide range of samples, with its values accompanied by uncertainty estimates. The method can be applied without modification to any pinhole-collimated instruments with photon-counting direct-detection area detectors.
Dataset and Jupyter worksheet interpreting the (results from) small- and wide-angle scattering data from a series of boehmite/epoxy nanocomposites. Accompanies the publication "Competition of nanoparticle-induced mobilization and immobilization effects on segmental dynamics of an epoxy-based nanocomposite", by Paulina Szymoniak, Brian R. Pauw, Xintong Qu, and Andreas Schönhals.
Datasets are in three-column ascii (processed and azimuthally averaged data) from a Xenocs NanoInXider SW instrument. Monte-Carlo analyses were performed using McSAS 1.3.1, other analyses are in the Python 3.7 worksheet. Graphics and result tables are output by the worksheet.
Protein folding, unfolding and misfolding have become critically important to a range of health and industry applications. Increasing high temperature and high pressure are used to control and speed up reactions. A number of studies have indicated that these parameters can have a large effecton protein structure and function. Here we describe the additive effects of these parameters on the small angle scattering behaviour of ribonuclease A. We find that alternate unfolded structures can be obtained with combined high pressure and temperature treatment of the protein.
OpenSCAD, STL and technical drawings for the capillary flow-through cell designed primarily for use with The MOUSE instruments.
This flow-through cell can be used in conjunction with:
- Modular sample holder (10.5281/zenodo.7499416)
- Solid sample rack/plate (10.5281/zenodo.7499424)
- Laser-cut sample holder (10.5281/zenodo.7499437)
OpenSCAD, STL and technical drawings for the solid sample rack designed primarily for use with The MOUSE instruments.
This solid sample rack can be used in conjunction with:
- Laser-cut sample holder (10.5281/zenodo.7499437)
- Modular sample holder (10.5281/zenodo.7499416)
- Capillary flow-cell for liquid samples (10.5281/zenodo.7499421)
PDF file for the laser-cut sample holder designed primarily for use with The MOUSE instruments.
This sample holder can be used in conjunction with:
- Solid sample rack/plate (10.5281/zenodo.7499424)
- Modular sample holder (10.5281/zenodo.7499416)
- Capillary flow-cell for liquid samples (10.5281/zenodo.7499421)
OpenSCAD, STL and technical drawings for the Modular sample holder designed primarily for use with The MOUSE instruments.
This modular sample holder can be used in conjunction with the following:
- Capillary flow-cell for liquid samples (10.5281/zenodo.7499421)
- Solid sample rack/plate (10.5281/zenodo.7499424)
- Laser-cut sample holder (10.5281/zenodo.7499437)
Herein, we provide a "systems architecture"-like overview and detailed discussions of the methodological and instrumental components that, together, comprise the "MOUSE" project (Methodology Optimization for UltrafineStructure Exploration). The MOUSE project provides scattering information on a wide variety of samples, with traceable dimensions for both the scattering vector (q) and the absolute scattering cross-section (I). The measurable scattering vector-range of 0.012≤ q (nm-1) ≤ 92, allows information across a hierarchy of structures with dimensions ranging from ca. 0.1 to 400 nm. In addition to details that comprise the MOUSE project, such as the organisation and traceable aspects, several representative examples are provided to demonstrate its flexibility. These include measurements on alumina membranes, the tobacco mosaic virus, and dual-source information that overcomes fluorescence limitations on ZIF-8 and iron-oxide-containing carbon catalyst materials.
X-ray scattering datasets for samples described in the 2020 publication "Molecular Dynamics of Janus Polynorbornenes: Glass Transitions and Nanophase Separation". This dataset includes both raw and processed X-ray scattering data for samples PTCHSiO-Pr, Bu, Hx, Oc and De, alongside background measurements files (BKG). This data was collected using the MOUSE project (instrument and methodology).
X-ray scattering datasets for samples described in the 2022 publication "Molecular Mobility of Polynorbornenes with Trimethylsiloxysilyl side groups: Influence of the Polymerization Mechanism". This dataset includes both raw and processed X-ray scattering data for samples APTCN and MPTCN, alongside background measurements files (BKG).
X-ray scattering datasets for samples described in the 2022 publication "Side chain length dependent dynamics and conductivity in self assembled ion channels". This dataset includes both raw and processed X-ray scattering data for samples ILC8, ILC10, ILC12, ILC14 and ILC16 alongside background measurement files (BKG).
In recent years, we have come to appreciate the astounding intricacies associated with the formation of minerals from ions in aqueous solutions. In this context, a number of studies have revealed that the nucleation of calcium sulfate systems occurs nonclassically, involving the aggregation and reorganization of nanosized prenucleation species. In recent work, we have shown that this particle-mediated nucleation pathway is actually imprinted in the resultant micrometer-sized CaSO4 crystals. This property of CaSO4 minerals provides us with the unique opportunity to search for evidence of nonclassical nucleation pathways in geological environments.
In particular, we focused on large anhydrite Crystals extracted from the Naica Mine in Mexico. We were able to shed light on this mineral's growth history by mapping defects at different length scales. Based on this, we argue that the nanoscale misalignment of the structural subunits, observed in the initial calcium sulfate crystal seeds, propagates through different length scales both in morphological, as well as in strictly crystallographic aspects, eventually causing the formation of large mesostructured single crystals of anhydrite. Hence, the nonclassical nucleation mechanism introduces a “seed of imperfection,” which leads to a macroscopic “single” crystal whose fragments do not fit together at different length scales in a self-similar manner. Consequently, anisotropic voids of various sizes are formed with very welldefined walls/edges. However, at the same time, the material retains in part its single crystal nature.
The complex effects of nanoparticles on a thermosetting material based on an anhydride cured DGEBA/Boehmite nanocomposite with different particle concentrations is considered. A combination of X-ray scattering, calorimetry, including fast scanning calorimetry as well as temperature modulated calorimetry and dielectric spectroscopy, was employed to study the structure, the vitrification kinetics and the molecular dynamics of the nanocomposites. For the first time in the literature for an epoxy-based composite a detailed analysis of the X-ray data was carried out. Moreover, the unfilled polymer was found to be intrinsically heterogeneous, showing regions with different crosslinking density, indicated by two separate dynamic glass transitions. The glass transition temperature decreases with increasing nanoparticle concentration, resulting from a change in the crosslinking density. Moreover, on the one hand, for nanocomposites the incorporation of nanofiller increased the number of mobile segments for low nanoparticle concentrations, due to the altered crosslinking density. On the other hand, for higher loading degrees the number of mobile segments decreased, resulting from the formation of an immobilized interphase (RAF). The simultaneous mobilization and immobilization of the segmental dynamics cannot be separated unambiguously. Taking the sample with highest number of mobile segments as reference state it was possible to estimate the amount of RAF.
A detailed calorimetric study on an epoxy-based nanocomposite system was performed employing bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (DGEBA) cured with diethylenetriamine (DETA) as the polymer matrix and taurine-modified MgAL layered double hydroxide (T-LDH) as nanofiller. The -NH2 group of taurine can react with DGEBA improving the interaction of the polymer with the filler. The combined X-ray scattering, and electron microscopy data showed that the nanocomposite has a partially exfoliated morphology. Calorimetric studies were performed with conventional DSC, temperature modulated DSC (TMDSC) and fast scanning calorimetry (FSC) in the temperature modulated approach (TMFSC) to investigate the vitrification and molecular mobility in dependence of the filler concentration. First, TMDSC and NMR were used to estimate the amount of the rigid amorphous fraction which consists of immobilized polymer segments at the nanoparticle surface. It was found to be 40 wt% for the highest filler concentration, indicating that the interface dominates the overall macroscopic properties and behavior of the material to a great extent. Second, the relaxation rates of the α-relaxation obtained by TMDSC and TMFSC were compared with the thermal and dielectric relaxation rates measured by static FSC. The investigation revealed that the system shows two distinct α-relaxation processes. Furthermore, also two separate vitrification mechanisms were found for a bulk network-former without geometrical confinement as also confirmed by NMR. This was discussed in terms of the intrinsic spatial heterogeneity on a molecular scale, which becomes more pronounced with increasing nanofiller content.
Assembly of permanently porous metal–organic polyhedra/cages (MOPs) with bifunctional linkers leads to soft supramolecular networks featuring both porosity and processability. However, the amorphous nature of such soft materials complicates their characterization and thus limits rational structural control. Here we demonstrate that aging is an effective strategy to control the hierarchical network of supramolecular gels, which are assembled from organic ligands as linkers and MOPs as junctions. Normally, the initial gel formation by rapid gelation leads to a kinetically trapped structure with low controllability. Through a controlled post-synthetic aging process, we show that it is possible to tune the network of the linked MOP gel over multiple length scales. This process allows control on the molecular-scale rearrangement of interlinking MOPs, mesoscale fusion of colloidal particles and macroscale densification of the whole colloidal network. In this work we elucidate the relationships between the gel properties, such as porosity and rheology, and their hierarchical structures, which suggest that porosity measurement of the dried gels can be used as a powerful tool to characterize the microscale structural transition of their corresponding gels. This aging strategy can be applied in other supramolecular polymer systems particularly containing kinetically controlled structures and shows an opportunity to engineer the structure and the permanent porosity of amorphous materials for further applications.
The phase behavior and molecular ordering of hexakishexyloxy triphenylene (HAT6) DLC under cylindrical nanoconfinement is studied utilizing differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dielectric spectroscopy (DS), where cylindrical nanoconfinement is established through embedding HAT6 into the nanopores of anodic aluminum oxide membranes (AAO), and a silica membrane with pore diameters ranging from 161 nm down to 12 nm. Both unmodified and modified pore walls were considered, and in the latter case the pore walls of AAO membranes were chemical treated with n octadecylphosphonic acid (ODPA) resulting in the formation of a 2.2 nm thick layer of grafted alkyl chains. Phase transition enthalpies decrease with decreasing pore size, indicating that a large proportion of the HAT6 molecules within the pores has a disordered structure, which increases with decreasing pore size for both pore walls. In the case of the ODPA modification the amount of ordered HAT6 is increased compared to the unmodified case. The pore size dependencies of the phase transition temperatures were approximated using the Gibbs Thomson equation, where the estimated surface tension is dependent on the molecular ordering of HAT6 molecules within the pores and upon their surface. DS was employed to investigate the molecular ordering of HAT6 within the nanopores. These investigations revealed that with a pore size of around 38 nm, for the samples with the unmodified pore walls, the molecular ordering changes from planar axial to homeotropic radial. However, the planar axial configuration, which is suitable for electronic applications, can be successfully preserved through ODPA modification for most of the pore sizes.
Superglassy polymers with a large fractional free volume have emerged as novel materials with a broad range of applications, especially in the field of membrane separations. Highly permeable addition-type substituted polynorbornenes with high thermal resistance and chemical stability are among the most promising materials. The major obstacle for extending the practical membrane application is their strong tendency to physical aging, leading to a partial decline in their superior transport performance over time. In the present study, broadband dielectric spectroscopy with complementary X-ray scattering techniques were employed to reveal changes in microporous structure, molecular mobility, and conductivity by systematic
comparison of two polynorbornenes with different numbers of trimethylsilyl side groups. Their response upon heating (aging) was compared in terms of structure, dynamics, and charge transport behavior. Furthermore, a detailed analysis of the observed
Maxwell−Wagner−Sillars polarization at internal interfaces provides unique information about the microporous structure in the
solid films. The knowledge obtained from the experiments will guide and unlock potential in synthesizing addition-type polynorbornenes with versatile properties.
Polymers with intrinsic microporosity are promising candidates for the active separation layer in gas separation membranes. Here, the vibrational density of states (VDOS) for PIM-1, the prototypical polymer with intrinsic microporosity, is investigated by means of inelastic neutron scattering. The results are compared to data measured for a more conventional high-performance polyimide used in gas separation membranes (Matrimid). The measured data show the characteristic low frequency excess contribution to VDOS above the Debye sound wave level, generally known as the Boson peak in glass-forming materials. In comparison to the Boson peak of Matrimid, that of PIM-1 is shifted to lower frequencies. This shift is discussed considering the microporous, sponge-like structure of PIM-1 as providing a higher compressibility at the molecular scale than for conventional polymers. For an annealed PIM-1 sample, the Boson peak shifts to higher frequencies in comparison to the un-annealed sample. These changes in the VDOS of the annealed PIM-1 sample are related to changes in the microporous structure as confirmed by X-ray scattering.