Polymer gels are unique materials, which consist of a polymer network swollen in a solvent. The modulus and the overall state of the gel depend on thermodynamic parameters, such as strand length, structure, and chemical compatibility of the solvent. Scattering techniques have been used to study the gel structure and osmotic pressure and are discussed in this Tutorial pedagogically. These techniques are not always straightforward because of trapped inhomogeneities and complicated interactions. Nevertheless, there has been considerable progress in developing analytical tools to determine the internal structure and dynamics of polymer gels. In addition to these tools, we showcase modern spatially resolved techniques, such as Diffusing Wave Spectroscopy, and offer a perspective on similar methods such as Dynamic Small Angle Light Scattering and Differential Dynamic Microscopy, which can be used to study local and interface effects in gel systems as well as any anisotropy. These new tools can fundamentally advance our understanding of local gel dynamics, which have so far been too challenging to observe.

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确定聚合物凝胶结构和动力学的散射方法

聚合物凝胶是独特的材料，由在溶剂中溶胀的聚合物网络组成。凝胶的模量和整体状态取决于热力学参数，例如链长，结构和溶剂的化学相容性。散射技术已用于研究凝胶结构和渗透压，并在本教程中进行了教学上的讨论。由于存在不均匀性和复杂的交互作用，这些技术并不总是那么简单。然而，在开发用于确定聚合物凝胶的内部结构和动力学的分析工具方面已经取得了相当大的进步。除了这些工具之外，我们还展示了现代的空间分辨技术，例如扩散波谱，并提供了类似方法的观点，例如动态小角度光散射和微分动态显微镜，可用于研究凝胶系统中的局部和界面效应以及任何各向异性。这些新工具可以从根本上提高我们对局部凝胶动力学的理解，到目前为止，这些动力学实在太难了。