Applied Physics Letters · 2004 · 200 citations · 11 references
Natural SciencesMaterials EngineeringMaterials ScienceMaterials CharacterizationMechanical Behavior Of MaterialsPolymer MaterialsAtomic Force MicroscopyNanomechanical PropertiesNanomechanicsNanoscale MaterialsPolymer CharacterizationPolymeric NanomaterialsAtomic Force Microscopy AnalysisElastic ModulusElastic Modulus MeasurementNanofibersPhysical PropertiesPolymeric NanofibersShear Deformation EffectsThree-point Bending Test
The nanostructural and elastic properties of a single polymeric nanofiber extracted from a nanofibrous scaffold are investigated using atomic force microscopy (AFM). AFM imaging of the nanofibers reveals a “shish-kebab” structure. A portion of the nanofiber is suspended over a microscale groove etched on a silicon wafer. A nanoscale three-point bend test is performed to obtain the elastic modulus. This elastic modulus is found to be 1.0±0.2 GPa for fibers less than 350 nm but decrease with increase in fiber diameter in excess of 350 nm. This is due to the significance of shear deformation as the length to diameter ratio decreases.
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