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Linear Reciprocating Tribometer for In Situ Neutron Reflectometry of Soft Matter

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Linear Reciprocating Tribometer for In Situ Neutron Reflectometry of Soft Matter
Authors: Kathryn E. Shaffer, Brendan Louie Bagorio, Ahmed Al Kindi, Julia J. Ong, Andrew R. Rhode, Erik B. Watkins, Rebecca J. L. Welbourn, Roger Pynn, Juan Manuel Urueña, Angela A. Pitenis
Source: Tribology Letters. 73
Publisher Information: Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2025.
Publication Year: 2025
Description: Neutron reflectometry is a technique for measuring structure near planar interfaces that has been previously used to non-destructively characterize the polymer density of hydrated, dilute, and soft materials. Previous investigations have conducted neutron reflectometry measurements of liquids, gels, emulsion, and polymer solutions at rest, in compression, and subject to shear stress. However, correlating structure with tribological properties of soft materials presents significant experimental challenges for prior instruments due to wall slip, sample thickness, and structural heterogeneity (e.g., depth-wise gradients). A linear reciprocating tribometer offers several advantages for in situ neutron reflectometry studies, including uniform velocity profiles, constant shear stress over large regions of interest, and independent control of normal force and sliding velocity during measurements. This work outlines basic considerations for the design of a custom linear reciprocating tribometer that operates in a neutron beamline and includes commissioning measurements. The tribometer is designed to compress soft and hydrated materials against linearly reciprocating silicon disks. The three key design considerations for this tribometer are (1) safety, (2) neutron transmission, and (3) sample positioning. This instrument design will enable in situ studies of soft matter and illuminate the role of interfacial structure on tribological phenomena. Graphical Abstract
Document Type: Article
Language: English
ISSN: 1573-2711
1023-8883
DOI: 10.1007/s11249-025-02049-1
Rights: CC BY
Accession Number: edsair.doi...........f12300fc459d746b3a25d6cee49be71f
Database: OpenAIRE
Description
Abstract:Neutron reflectometry is a technique for measuring structure near planar interfaces that has been previously used to non-destructively characterize the polymer density of hydrated, dilute, and soft materials. Previous investigations have conducted neutron reflectometry measurements of liquids, gels, emulsion, and polymer solutions at rest, in compression, and subject to shear stress. However, correlating structure with tribological properties of soft materials presents significant experimental challenges for prior instruments due to wall slip, sample thickness, and structural heterogeneity (e.g., depth-wise gradients). A linear reciprocating tribometer offers several advantages for in situ neutron reflectometry studies, including uniform velocity profiles, constant shear stress over large regions of interest, and independent control of normal force and sliding velocity during measurements. This work outlines basic considerations for the design of a custom linear reciprocating tribometer that operates in a neutron beamline and includes commissioning measurements. The tribometer is designed to compress soft and hydrated materials against linearly reciprocating silicon disks. The three key design considerations for this tribometer are (1) safety, (2) neutron transmission, and (3) sample positioning. This instrument design will enable in situ studies of soft matter and illuminate the role of interfacial structure on tribological phenomena. Graphical Abstract
ISSN:15732711
10238883
DOI:10.1007/s11249-025-02049-1