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Probing Viscoelasticity of Polymeric Coatings Using Nonlinear Dynamic Atomic Force Microscopy
Lara Vivian Fricke1, Nick Wansink1, Michel Rosso2
1Department of Precision and Microsystem Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, 2628 CD, The Netherlands.
Small Methods
|June 12, 2025
Summary
This study introduces a new nonlinear dynamic atomic force microscopy (AFM) method to accurately measure the viscosity and elasticity of materials. This technique improves upon existing AFM methods for nanoscale material characterization.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Physical Chemistry
Background:
- Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is crucial for nanoscale material analysis.
- Quantifying viscoelasticity with AFM is challenging due to difficulties in separating viscous and elastic properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel AFM method for precise quantification of viscoelastic properties.
- To disentangle and independently measure the dissipative (viscous) and conservative (elastic) components of tip-sample interactions.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing the nonlinear dynamic response of the AFM cantilever.
- Analyzing the strength of cantilever motion nonlinearity and the detuned frequency of nonlinear resonance.
- Performing measurements on single and two-component solvent-borne coatings.
Main Results:
- The elasticity of a sample primarily influences the nonlinearity strength of AFM cantilever motion.
- Sample viscosity is correlated with the detuned frequency of nonlinear resonance.
- Results show good agreement when compared to established multi-frequency AFM measurements.
Conclusions:
- Nonlinear dynamic AFM effectively distinguishes and quantifies viscous and elastic material properties.
- This method offers enhanced sensitivity for nanoscale viscoelastic measurements.
- The technique has the potential to accelerate the development of polymeric coating materials.
