Recent advances in grazing-incidence small-angle neutron scattering for interfacial nanostructures in soft matter, magnetic materials, and energy devices

Interfacial phenomena are central to many critical issues in materials science. The nano-to micro-structure at the buried interface serves as a critical determinant of the macroscopic functionality of soft matter, magnetic materials, and energy devices. Conventional X-ray-based techniques suffer from limited sensitivity to light elements (e.g., H, Li) and difficulty in probing the buried interfaces under operando conditions. With the substitution of X-ray with neutron, the grazing-incidence small-angle neutron scattering (GISANS) technique overcomes these limitations with its selective penetration depth, higher sensitivity to light elements, and tunability of isotopic contrast. This approach provides critical experimental support for elucidating interfacial structure–property relationships and guiding the rational design of advanced functional materials. In the review, we firstly provide a brief overview of the theoretical framework of the GISANS technique, followed by an examination of the current advancements and instrumentation of GISANS platforms. Then the recent progress of GISANS in understanding interfacial properties in diverse material systems is discussed. Furthermore, we highlight the potential applications of GISANS that extend beyond traditional scientific disciplines.