ISIS Neutron and Muon Source Data Journal
This is a page describing data taken during an experiment at the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source. Information about the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source can be found at https://www.isis.stfc.ac.uk.
Probing Chain Length-Dependent Hydration Effects on Nanocellulose Phonon Dynamics Using Neutron Scattering
Abstract: Sustainable thermal insulation materials require ultralow thermal conductivity with environmental compatibility. Nanocellulose, a promising bio-based candidate, exhibits these properties, but its vibrational dynamics?critical for thermal performance?remain poorly understood due to structural variability across sources. Differences in fibril dimensions, molecular organization, and degree of polymerization (DP) complicate systematic analysis of phonon dynamics, which governs heat conduction at the nanoscale. This study uses inelastic neutron scattering (INS) on TOSCA to investigate how the degree of polymerization (DP) influences phonon density of states (DOS) and water?cellulose interactions across four cellulose samples with varying DP, along with two synthetic polymers as controls. Building on prior TOSCA results that revealed hydration-induced vibrational shifts, this 5-day beamtime will resolve low-frequency collective modes (500?1000?cm?¹) linked to hydrogen bonding and energy dissipation. Combined with DFT modeling and SAXS/WAXS analysis, the study will establish structure?dynamics correlations critical for designing efficient, bio-based thermal insulators.
Principal Investigator: Ms Jiali Guo
Experimenter: Dr Maria Ximena Ruiz Caldas
Experimenter: Professor Lennart Bergström
Experimenter: Dr Elisabetta Nocerino
Local Contact: Dr Jeff Armstrong
DOI: 10.5286/ISIS.E.RB2520242
ISIS Experiment Number: RB2520242
| Part DOI | Instrument | Public release date | Download Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10.5286/ISIS.E.RB2520242-1 | TOSCA | 26 November 2028 | Download |
Publisher: STFC ISIS Neutron and Muon Source
Data format: RAW/Nexus
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Data Citation
The recommended format for citing this dataset in a research
publication is as:
[author], [date], [title], [publisher],
[doi]
For Example:
Ms Jiali Guo et al; (2025): Probing Chain Length-Dependent Hydration Effects on Nanocellulose Phonon Dynamics Using Neutron Scattering, STFC ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, https://doi.org/10.5286/ISIS.E.RB2520242
Data is released under the CC-BY-4.0 license.
