Diffusive motion in model soft matter systems: quasielastic neutron scattering study of short- and intermediate-length alkane layers

Among organic-chain molecules, normal alkanes [CH3(CH2)(n-2)CH3; n < 40] provide model systems in which to study the effect of molecular flexibility on diffusion in adsorbed films. Here we give an overview of our quasielastic neutron scattering studies of alkane films adsorbed on a graphite substrate, emphasizing the dependence of the observed spectra on the molecular length. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.