Toward a better modulus at shallow indentations-Enhanced tip and sample characterization for quantitative atomic force microscopy.

ABSTRACT: Approximations of the geometry of indenting probes, particularly when using shallow indentations on soft materials, can lead to the erroneous reporting of mechanical data in atomic force microscopy (AFM). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) identified a marked change in geometry toward the tip apex where the conical probe assumes a near linear flat-punch geometry. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is a ubiquitous elastomer within the materials and biological sciences. Its elastic modulus is widely characterized but the data are dispersed and can display orders of magnitude disparity. Herein, we compare the moduli gathered from a range of analytical techniques and relate these to the molecular architecture identified with AFM. We present a simple method that considers sub-100 nm indentations of PD

SUBMITTER: Owen DS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10099859 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature