Atomic force microscopy fillers

H., Vancso, G.J., van der Does, L., Noordermeer, J.M.W., and Janssen, P.J.P. (1999) Atomic force microscopy of elastomers morphology, distribution of filler partides, and adhesion using chemically modified tips. Rubber Chem. Techn., 71 (5), 862-875. 

Cross-linked elastomers have been studied with regard to their moduli (particularly plateau values), effects of peroxide cross linking, adhesive interactions with atomic force microscopy tips, and the effects of phenyl-group modifications. Investigations on networks containing fillers include the effects of silica or polysilicate nanoparticles, zero... 

Ihe increment observed in Yoimg s modulus and tensile stress of the HPC/NCC composite films are much higher than the ones observed for the HPC/MCC composite films, which is obviously a consequence of the different aspect ratio of the two fillers (for MCC l/d 5 for NCC l/d 20). Fernandes et al. showed [79] that the use of NCC filler does not destroy the liquid crystalline characteristics of the HPC matrix. In fact. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) images of the HPC/NCC composites present the same banded texture present in the anisotropic matrix (see Figure 8.8). 

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) on thin sections is a straightforward technique to depict individual particles and the dispersion quality within the matrix, as displayed in Figure 7. In this case, a relatively homogeneous particle distribution for the EP/AI2O3 nanocomposites at a low filler content was reached by using a Dissolver mixing device. Further methods to examine particle distributions would be transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). 

Figure 7. Atomic force microscopy image of a thin cut of epoxy/AljOj nanocomposite containing 1 vol.% filler. Homogeneous particle distribution. ...

Surface imaging techniques such as atomic force microscopy (AFM) and electron microscopy, while able to provide information on physical structure (filler dispersion, phase domain size and distribution) down to resolutions of 10s... 

The experimental analysis of particulate-filled nanocomposites butadiene-styrene rubber/fullerene-containing mineral (nanoshungite) was fulfilled with the aid of force-atomic microscopy, nanoindentation methods and computer treatment. The theoretical analysis was carried out within the fiameworks of fractal analysis. It has been shown that interfacial regions in the mentioned nanocomposites are the same reinforcing element as nano-filler actually. The conditions of the transition from nano- to microsystems were discussed. The fractal analysis of nanoshungite particles aggregation in polymer matrix was performed. In has been shown that reinforcement of the studied nanocomposites is a true nanoeffect. 

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