Abstract.
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.
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Received: 5 August 2003, Published online: 28 October 2003
PACS:
46.25.-y Static elasticity - 46.70.De Beams, plates and shells - 82.35.Rs Polyelectrolytes
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Dubreuil, F., Elsner, N. & Fery, A. Elastic properties of polyelectrolyte capsules studied by atomic-force microscopy and RICM. Eur. Phys. J. E 12, 215–221 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1140/epje/i2003-10056-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1140/epje/i2003-10056-0