Intermediate angle scattering functions and local chain configurations of semicrystalline and amorphous polymers

Molecular scattering functions at intermediate scattering vectors, of μ=(4π/λ sinθ{symbol}/2) in the range 0.03 to 1.0Å-1, are found to be extremely sensitive to the local configurations of polymer chains in both semicrystalline and amorphous states. Available experimental results of intermediate angle neutron scattering (IANS) from melt-crystallized polyethylene and isotactic polypropylene provide compelling evidence that adjacent re-entry is rare. The rotational isomeric state model satisfactorily accounts for IANS and chain dimensions of polycarbonate in the amorphous state. © 1981 Springer-Verlag.