Neutron Structure Analysis of Polyethylene-d₄

Abstract

The neutron structure analysis of polyethylene-d4 was carried out for the data (equator) measured at 10, 100, 200, and 300 K by using the rigid body least-squares method, where the translational and librational displacements of the molecular chain were estimated by using the rigid body temperature factor reported by Pawley. The lattice parameters, a and b, were also estimated by the least-squares method. The φ-value, the azimuthal angle of the molecular plane with respect to the b-axis, was estimated as 45° within the accuracy of the standard deviation 1°, independent of temperature. From the translational and librational displacements at 10 K, the static disorder of polyethylene was concluded to be mainly of the translational displacements.