Dynamical scaling for spinodal decomposition - a small-angle neutron scattering study of porous Vycor glass with fractal properties

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Abstract
A model is developed for analysing small-angle scattering data for systems undergoing spinodal decomposition. This model is expressed as an integration of a series of Fourier components of the density fluctuation A( beta ) sin( beta r+ phi ) based on Cahn's linear theory of spinodal decomposition. Hence the time evolution of the characteristic crossover phenomenon and the width of the crossover of the scaling function of the structure factor are predicted to be associated with the maximum spinodal wavenumber beta m and the correlation length xi m, respectively. The rough surfaces and fractal network of porous materials are also considered in the model. Results of calculations based on this model are compared with small-angle neutron scattering data for dry and wet porous Vycor glass and give an excellent agreement.