Scattering Modeling of Nucleation Gels

Abstract

On the basis of elastic scattering theory, we propose a methodological framework to exactly reconstruct the entire course during the structural formation of the nucleation gel. The focus of the present work is on command of the interaction relations between scattering factors and on understanding of how and to what extent these interactions obtain information on aspects of a complex event in gelation. The scattering modeling provides a much more detailed and direct examination on the quantitative structure−evolution relationship and differentiates the gelation process into—nucleation and growth, aggregation, diffusion-controlled coarsening (fast process), and Ostwald ripening (slow process)—four stages in which the kinetic evolutions are predicted by either the growth or the coarsening theory. We demonstrate that the scattering modeling can be practically implemented, can provide valuable results, and would serve as the basis for a study of temporal and spatial complexity of soft matter on a mesoscopic le...