Analysis of the structure of dendrimers in solution by small-angle neutron scattering using contrast variation

The analysis of dendrimers of fourth (G4) and fifth generation (G5) by small-angle Neutron scattering (SANS) in solution is presented. The contrast of the solute towards the solvent is changed systematically in order to elucidate the radial scattering length density (contrast variation). Contrast variation allows to determine the molecular weight of the dendrimers without additional assumptions. The data obtained here demonstrate that the dendrimer of fourth generation is a perfect structure whereas G5 has defects. Moreover, the analysis demonstrates that both dendrimer under consideration here have a compact structure where the density has its maximum at the center of the molecule.