Elastic properties of polyelectrolyte capsules studied by atomic-force microscopy and RICM.
Mechanical properties of polyelectrolyte multilayer capsules were studied using a new method combining atomic-force microscopy and reflection interference contrast microscopy. By measuring the force vs. deformation for poly(styrene sulfonate)/poly(allylamine) capsules the existence of different deformation regimes depending on the applied deformation was shown. The present paper focuses on the small-deformation regime. The elastic response of the deformed capsule was studied as a function of the wall thickness and the capsule size, and showed the theoretically expected variations. The Young modulus obtained from the experiments ranges between 1.3 and 1.9 GPa.
Dubreuil
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F
Max Planck Institute for Colloid and Interface Research, 14424 , Potsdam, Germany.
Elsner
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N
Max Planck Institute for Colloid and Interface Research, 14424 , Potsdam, Germany.
Fery
A
A
Max Planck Institute for Colloid and Interface Research, 14424 , Potsdam, Germany. Andreas.Fery@mpikg-golm.mpg.de.
D002214:Capsules / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D004548:Elasticity; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D008422:Materials Testing / Q000379:methods*; D008857:Microscopy, Interference / Q000379:methods*; D008863:Microspheres; D011073:Polyamines / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D011137:Polystyrenes / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013314:Stress, Mechanical
D002214:Capsules; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D004573:Electrolytes; D011073:Polyamines; D011137:Polystyrenes; C063994:polyallylamine; C003321:polystyrene sulfonic acid