Neutron reflectivity and small angle neutron scattering: An introduction and perspective on recent progress

•Surface scattering: neutron reflectivity and small angle neutron scattering•Adsorption at air–water, liquid–solid and liquid–liquid interfaces•Polymer and surfactant adsorption•Polymer brushes•Surface self-assembly

In recent years both neutron reflectivity, NR, and small angle neutron scattering, SANS, have been applied to the study of increasingly complex surface and interfacial properties. The methodology and advantages of using these neutron scattering techniques to probe surfaces and interfaces will be briefly outlined. Some recent examples of surfactant, polymer and polymer–surfactant adsorption at the air–water, liquid–solid, and liquid–liquid planar interfaces are highlighted. These are contrasted by some examples of the nature of adsorption on colloidal sol particles and emulsion droplets.

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