Comparison of AFM Nanoindentation and Gold Nanoparticle Embedding Techniques for Measuring the Properties of Polymer Thin Films.

ABSTRACT: The surfaces of polymer and interfaces between polymer and inorganic particles are of particular importance for the properties of polymers and composites. However, the determination of the properties of surfaces and interfaces poses many challenges due to their extremely small dimensions. Herein, polystyrene and polymethyl methacrylate thin film on silicon wafer was used as a model system for the measurement of the properties of the polymer near free surface and at the polymer-solid interface. Two different methods, i.e., nanoindentation using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and the gold nanoparticle embedding technique, were used for these measurements. The results showed the elastic modulus of PS near the free surface determined by nanoindentation was lower than the bulk value. Based on co

SUBMITTER: Jiang G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6523445 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature