Open AccessUniversality of Time–Temperature Scaling Observed by Neutron Spectroscopy on Bottlebrush Polymers
Author(s) -
Karin J. Bichler,
Bruno Jakobi,
Victoria García Sakai,
Alice Klapproth,
Richard A. Mole,
Gerald J. Schneider
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
nano letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.853
H-Index - 488
eISSN - 1530-6992
pISSN - 1530-6984
DOI - 10.1021/acs.nanolett.1c01379
Subject(s) - universality (dynamical systems) , glass transition , mean squared displacement , scaling , nanosecond , neutron spectroscopy , spectroscopy , polymer , length scale , statistical physics , relaxation (psychology) , materials science , neutron , chemical physics , condensed matter physics , physics , neutron scattering , optics , nuclear magnetic resonance , molecular dynamics , nuclear physics , mathematics , mechanics , psychology , social psychology , laser , geometry , quantum mechanics
The understanding of materials requires access to the dynamics over many orders of magnitude in time; however, single analytical techniques are restricted in their respective time ranges. Assuming a functional relationship between time and temperature is one viable tool to overcome these limits. Despite its frequent usage, a breakdown of this assertion at the glass-transition temperature is common. Here, we take advantage of time- and length-scale information in neutron spectroscopy to show that the separation of different processes is the minimum requirement toward a more universal picture at, and even below, the glass transition for our systems. This is illustrated by constructing the full proton mean-square displacement for three bottlebrush polymers from femto- to nanoseconds, with simultaneous information on the partial contributions from segmental relaxation, methyl group rotation, and vibrations. The information can be used for a better analysis of results from numerous techniques and samples, improving the overall understanding of materials properties.