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Updated: Jun 19, 2026
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Monitoring the Effects of Illumination on the Structure of Conjugated Polymer Gels Using Neutron Scattering
Published on: December 21, 2017
Structure and texture analysis of PVC foils by neutron diffraction.
L Kalvoda1, M Dlouhá, S Vratislav
1Czech Technical University, FNSPE, Prague, Czech Republic. ladislav.kalvoda@fjfi.cvut.cz
Summary
Researchers studied the crystalline structure of atactic PVC foils using neutron diffraction. They identified specific inter-planar distances and proposed a new model for its crystalline order.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Science
- Materials Science
- Crystallography
Background:
- Atactic Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is an amorphous polymer.
- Understanding its crystalline order is crucial for material properties.
- Previous models of PVC crystallinity have limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the crystalline order in biaxially stretched atactic PVC foils.
- To determine the characteristic inter-planar distances within the crystalline domains.
- To propose a novel model for the crystalline structure of atactic PVC.
Main Methods:
- Wide-angle neutron diffraction (WAND) was employed for high-resolution analysis.
- Molded and biaxially stretched atactic PVC foils were used as samples.
- Diffraction patterns were analyzed to identify peak positions and intensities.
Main Results:
- A dominant sharp maximum was observed at an inter-planar distance of 0.52 nm.
- Two weaker maxima were resolved at 0.62 nm and 0.78 nm.
- Peak intensities correlated with sample deformation ratios, indicating structural anisotropy.
- The average size of coherently scattering domains was estimated to be 4-8 nm.
Conclusions:
- The study provides experimental evidence for ordered crystalline domains in atactic PVC.
- A new model for the crystalline order of atactic PVC, based on WAND data, is proposed.
- The findings offer insights into structure-property relationships in deformed PVC materials.
