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Structural Characterization of Microgels by Means of Neutron Scattering, Reflectometry, and Computer Simulations

Scotti, Andrea LU orcid ; Gerelli, Yuri ; Camerin, Fabrizio LU orcid and Houston, Judith Elizabeth (2026) 1. p.119-167
Abstract

Here, we present how small-angle scattering and neutron reflectometry can be combined with computer simulations to characterise the structure and response of soft, compressible microgels, both in dilute condition and in crowded environments. After introducing the concept of softness, we summarise the principles of these scattering methods and describe the numerical synthesis of microgels. Then, we discuss how to probe both the internal architecture of an individual microgel and the structures formed in suspensions both in bulk and at interfaces. We highlight the power of contrast variation for selectively probing different parts of the sample and show how simulations complement experiments by accessing otherwise inaccessible... (More)

Here, we present how small-angle scattering and neutron reflectometry can be combined with computer simulations to characterise the structure and response of soft, compressible microgels, both in dilute condition and in crowded environments. After introducing the concept of softness, we summarise the principles of these scattering methods and describe the numerical synthesis of microgels. Then, we discuss how to probe both the internal architecture of an individual microgel and the structures formed in suspensions both in bulk and at interfaces. We highlight the power of contrast variation for selectively probing different parts of the sample and show how simulations complement experiments by accessing otherwise inaccessible information. Finally, we discuss future applications of microgel suspensions and soft colloids at interfaces.

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Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
publication status
published
subject
keywords
computer simulations, microgels, neutron contrast variation, neutron reflecometry, small-angle scattering, softness
host publication
Micro and Nano Gels : Synthesis, Characterization, Modelling and Applications, Volume 1 - Synthesis, Characterization, Modelling and Applications, Volume 1
volume
1
pages
49 pages
publisher
Wiley
external identifiers
  • scopus:105032638174
ISBN
9783527356287
9783527855681
DOI
10.1002/9783527855681.ch7
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
0a34bcb2-9f2d-4337-a3e5-327a9c86ab5c
date added to LUP
2026-05-04 14:45:51
date last changed
2026-05-18 15:36:41
@inbook{0a34bcb2-9f2d-4337-a3e5-327a9c86ab5c,
  abstract     = {{<p>Here, we present how small-angle scattering and neutron reflectometry can be combined with computer simulations to characterise the structure and response of soft, compressible microgels, both in dilute condition and in crowded environments. After introducing the concept of softness, we summarise the principles of these scattering methods and describe the numerical synthesis of microgels. Then, we discuss how to probe both the internal architecture of an individual microgel and the structures formed in suspensions both in bulk and at interfaces. We highlight the power of contrast variation for selectively probing different parts of the sample and show how simulations complement experiments by accessing otherwise inaccessible information. Finally, we discuss future applications of microgel suspensions and soft colloids at interfaces.</p>}},
  author       = {{Scotti, Andrea and Gerelli, Yuri and Camerin, Fabrizio and Houston, Judith Elizabeth}},
  booktitle    = {{Micro and Nano Gels : Synthesis, Characterization, Modelling and Applications, Volume 1}},
  isbn         = {{9783527356287}},
  keywords     = {{computer simulations; microgels; neutron contrast variation; neutron reflecometry; small-angle scattering; softness}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{01}},
  pages        = {{119--167}},
  publisher    = {{Wiley}},
  title        = {{Structural Characterization of Microgels by Means of Neutron Scattering, Reflectometry, and Computer Simulations}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/9783527855681.ch7}},
  doi          = {{10.1002/9783527855681.ch7}},
  volume       = {{1}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}