Neutron reflectivity as a tool to understand polyelectrolyte brushes

Because polyelectrolytes are perhaps the least understood form of soft synthetic matter, polyelectrolyte brushes are important model systems for learning how chain stretching is controlled by conditions that set the charge state of the system, as well as interactions with biological and bio-inspired molecules. Motivated by this fact, we describe situations where the application of neutron reflectivity to the study of polyelectrolyte brushes is poised to deepen understanding of the complex connections between charge and nanostructure. This theme is especially pertinent because the nanoscale structure dictates interactions across interfaces.

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► Polyelectrolyte brushes are an ideal platform to study polymer/solvent interactions.
► Neutron reflectivity is a unique probe of the solid/liquid interface.
► Survey advances in synthesis, simulation, and neutron measurements.