Elastic properties of polyelectrolyte capsules studied by atomic-force microscopy and RICM

Eur Phys J E Soft Matter. 2003 Oct;12(2):215-221. doi: 10.1140/epje/i2003-10056-0.

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.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Capsules / chemical synthesis
  • Capsules / chemistry*
  • Coated Materials, Biocompatible / chemical synthesis
  • Coated Materials, Biocompatible / chemistry*
  • Elasticity
  • Electrolytes / chemical synthesis
  • Electrolytes / chemistry*
  • Materials Testing / methods*
  • Microscopy, Interference / methods*
  • Microspheres
  • Polyamines / chemical synthesis
  • Polyamines / chemistry*
  • Polystyrenes / chemical synthesis
  • Polystyrenes / chemistry*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Stress, Mechanical

Substances

  • Capsules
  • Coated Materials, Biocompatible
  • Electrolytes
  • Polyamines
  • Polystyrenes
  • polyallylamine
  • polystyrene sulfonic acid