Neutron scattering, a powerful tool to study clay minerals

• A variety of water diffusion processes in clays is studied by neutron spectroscopy.
• Neutron isotopic sensitivity is crucial for structural studies.
• Molecular dynamics and Monte-Carlo simulations give vital input to clay sciences.
• Instrumentation and modeling development will bring new insights into clay sciences.

Of the techniques used to study clay minerals, neutron scattering has become more familiar to clay scientists over the past decade. A brief account of neutron scattering theory is given in this review, followed by a description of measurements that can be made using neutron diffraction and neutron scattering spectroscopy, and especially quasi-elastic neutron scattering. Then recent examples of the application of neutron scattering methods to the study of clay minerals are presented, and finally the potential advantages of such experimental results when combined to molecular dynamics are discussed. To conclude, the potential perspectives that the European Spallation Source brings to this subject are pointed out.