Characterization of materials of industrial importance using small-angle scattering techniques

Small angle scattering (SAS) techniques using either X-rays or neutrons are versatile tools for deriving information on the size, morphology and dispersion of colloidal systems in complex materials of industrial importance. The processes such as self-assembly, aggregation, crystallization and phase separation can be studied using SAS techniques at relevant conditions. The difference in the interaction of X-rays and neutrons with matter enables complementary contrast variation studies using SANS and anomalous SAXS (in the presence of metals) on multi-component materials with hierarchical structures. In this paper we present results from small angle scattering studies on a number of systems of industrial importance including, temperature/pressure/shear dependent phase behaviour of pluronics in aqueous media, solution structures of aggregates/polymers of metal-extractant complexes, third phase formation of metal-extractant complexes in organic phase, encapsulation of lanthanides and actinides in porous silica and phase separation and nanocrystallization in bulk metallic glasses.