sasPDF: pair distribution function analysis of nanoparticle assemblies from small-angle-scattering data

TL;DR

This paper introduces sasPDF, a method extending pair distribution function analysis to small-angle scattering data, along with a software tool for extracting PDFs, demonstrated on nanoparticle assemblies with varying order.

Contribution

The paper presents sasPDF, a novel approach for analyzing nanoparticle assemblies using small-angle scattering data, including a new software package for PDF extraction.

Findings

Successfully applied sasPDF to nanoparticle assemblies

Enhanced understanding of structural order in NPAs

Provided a data collection protocol for optimal results

Abstract

We extends pair distribution function (PDF) analysis into the small-angle scattering (SAS) regime and describe the data collection protocol for optimum data quality. We also present the PDFgetS3 software package that can be readily used to extract the PDF from small-angle scattering data. We then apply the sasPDF method to investigate structures of some representative nanoparticle assemblies (NPA) samples with different levels of structural order.