DYNAMIC SCALING IN MICROPHASE SEPARATION OF BINARY PARAFFIN MIXTURES

This paper reports ''self-similarity'' in the time domain for the neut ron scattering functions from the microphases which develop in the sol id state at room temperature when binary paraffin mixtures of C-30/C-3 6 alkanes are quenched from the melt. Data for a number of composition s and at several temperatures inside the microphase separation regions have been taken using small-angle neutron scattering and isotopic con trast of the components. Remarkably, the structure factor in all cases agrees well with theoretical predictions of time-dependent scaling. T his shows that the kinetic parameters which control the formation of t he microphase are applicable over the whole time regime studied and po ints the way to eventual computer simulation of the dynamics in such s ystems.