A Computer Modeling Study Of The Structure Of A-C-H

Neutron diffraction data has been used as input to a computer-modelling algorithm based on the “Reverse Monte Carlo” technique. Using this method the positions of ∼ 5000 “atoms” in a box, with full periodicity, are altered until the associated model structure factor agrees with the analogous experimental curve to within errors. It is then possible to estimate the partial pair distribution functions (i.e. those associated with C-C, C-H and H-H correlations), bond angle distributions, coordination number distributions, etc. Whilst X-ray data is well-conditioned for the study of the carbon-carbon network, neutrons are sensitive to the interference terms involving hydrogen. We present an exploratory study of the effectiveness of the RMC method in this context, and suggest viable options for the future use of the method in model building.