Measuring interdiffusion at an interface between two elastomers with tapping-mode and contact-resonance atomic force microscopy imaging |
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Authors: | Bruno Bresson Maude Portigliatti Benoit Salvant Christian Fretigny |
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Affiliation: | 1. LPQ/ESPCI CNRS UMR 7142, 10 Rue Vauquelin, 75005 Paris, France;2. Centre de Technologie Michelin, Ladoux, 23 Place des Carmes Déchaux, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France;3. PPMD/ESPCI CNRS UMR 7615, 10 Rue Vauquelin, 75005 Paris, France |
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Abstract: | Despite the common use of tapping-mode atomic force microscopy to image composites or polymer blends, very few studies have focused on the measurement of the interdiffusion at an interface between two polymers in contact. In this study, we show how to assess the interphase between two polymers with two methods. First, stable and robust tapping conditions are established, and the problem of the phase contrast is discussed. Second, a contact-resonance method is presented: the tip in contact with the sample is electrostatically excited at its resonance frequency by a self-controlled oscillator. The gain and frequency images allow us to measure the interdiffusion width. Both methods (using high and weak mechanical solicitation) give the same assessment of the interdiffusion width. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008 |
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Keywords: | atomic force microscopy (AFM) elastomers interfaces mechanical properties miscibility |
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