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Atomic Force Microscopy Techniques for Nanomechanical Characterization: A Polymeric Case Study

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Abstract

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a versatile tool to perform mechanical characterization of surface samples at the nanoscale. In this work, we review two of such methods, namely contact resonance AFM (CR-AFM) and torsional harmonics AFM (TH-AFM). First, such techniques are illustrated and their applicability on materials with elastic moduli in different ranges are discussed, together with their main advantages and limitations. Then, a case study is presented in which we report the mechanical characterization using both CR-AFM and TH-AFM of polyaniline and polyaniniline doped with nanodiamond particles tablets prepared by a pressing process. We determined the indentation modulus values of their surfaces, which were found in fairly good agreement, thus demonstrating the accuracy of the techniques. Finally, the determined surface elastic moduli have been compared with the bulk ones measured through standard indentation testing.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Basic and Applied Sciences for Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Via A. Scarpa 16, 00161, Rome, Italy

    Melania Reggente, Marco Rossi, Livia Angeloni & Daniele Passeri

  2. Dipartimento di Scienze & Tecnologie Chimiche - MinimaLab, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133, Rome, Italy

    Emanuela Tamburri & Maria Letizia Terranova

  3. Department of Physics, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133, Rome, Italy

    Massimiliano Lucci & Ivan Davoli

Authors
  1. Melania Reggente
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  2. Marco Rossi
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  3. Livia Angeloni
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  4. Emanuela Tamburri
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  5. Massimiliano Lucci
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  6. Ivan Davoli
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  7. Maria Letizia Terranova
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  8. Daniele Passeri
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Correspondence to Marco Rossi.

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Reggente, M., Rossi, M., Angeloni, L. et al. Atomic Force Microscopy Techniques for Nanomechanical Characterization: A Polymeric Case Study. JOM 67, 849–857 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-015-1340-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-015-1340-9

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