Measurement of thermal parameters and mechanical properties of polymers by atomic force microscopy

A novel technique has been developed to determine thermal transitions locally, e.g. the glass transition of polymers, with atomic force microscopy (AFM). The microscope was operated in stationary non-contact mode, using it like a dynamic mechanical analyser on a molecular scale, thereby measuring the resonance frequency of the AFM cantilever, which oscillates above the sample surface, as a function of temperature. The thermal transitions of the underlying polymer are clearly visible as a change in the resonance frequency. Using the AFM in this mode allows the determination of the thermal properties of a material at a specific spot on the sample on a molecular scale. Measurements were performed on different polymers, polymer blends, structured polymers, layered systems and thin films. Copyright (C) 2003 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.