Abstract
The X-ray diffraction technique has greatly improved our understanding of the function and properties of filamentous systems of biological and organic polymers by providing structural information at a molecular level. Although X-ray diffraction remains the primary method for determining fiber structures, neutron diffraction is an important supplementary technique. Neutron diffraction has some distinct advantages over the X-ray technique for providing certain types of structural information. This review describes the results from neutron diffraction studies of fibers and discusses the future prospects for this emerging technology.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 125-147 |
| Number of pages | 23 |
| Journal | Crystallography Reviews |
| Volume | 11 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Apr 2005 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Funding
The author would like to thank H. Chanzy, V.T. Forsyth, A. French, L. Makowski, D.A. Marvin, Y. Nishiyama, B.P. Schoenborn, K. Tashiro and T. Wess for guidance in preparing this work and for contributing pictures. The author also thanks the Office of Science and the Office of Biological and Environmental Research of the US Department of Energy for financial support.
| Funders | Funder number |
|---|---|
| Office of Biological and Environmental Research | |
| US Department of Energy | |
| Office of Science |
Keywords
- Fiber diffraction
- Hydration
- Hydrogen bonding
- Macromolecule
- Neutron diffraction
- Polymer