Using in-situ small-angle scattering to reveal the structure and dynamics of supramolecular polymers

Small-angle scattering (SAS) is widely applied to nanoscale soft and hard material systems but has found limited use in the emerging field of supramolecular polymers (SPs). Key benefits to the field include in-situ measurement of SP assemblies in solution and the monitoring of triggered changes in real time. Here we summarise SAS basics and offer advice on the application of SAS to SP systems. To demonstrate applicability and show the capability of more advanced contrast-variation and time-resolved measurements, various successful SAS experiments on SP systems are highlighted. With a flexible sample environment allowing SAS measurement concurrent with other advanced techniques, plus ever-improving access to high quality data and analysis approaches, we conclude that SAS should be a more routine component in the toolbox of SP researchers.