Polymers in 2-D confinement

Abstract

2-D confined polymer chains were observed using small angle neutron scattering. The signal of unwanted background needed to be removed, and so the scattering of 2-D confined polymer chains was recorded and interpreted. Due to finite thickness of the polymer layer the concept of self-avoiding trails was applied, contrary to self-avoiding walks for the single layer thickness. The limitations by the finite clay particle diameter were not observed for the larger platelets, but additional confinement effects appeared for the series of smaller clay particles in the lateral direction. The concept of single pores explains the latter findings.