The enhanced physical and mechanical properties of polymer nanocomposites are likely intimately related to the individual component chemical interactions.   Since these critical interactions occur on small spatial scales, enhanced nanoscale chemical characterization techniques will be needed to help understand them. Nanothermal analysis, nanomechanical spectroscopy combined with Lorentz contact resonance imaging, and infrared (IR) nanospectroscopy and imaging are newly emerging approaches that can provide valuable insights into the nanostructure of composites and biomaterials. Each of these techniques will be described and examples of their application presented. Understanding gained from the use of these new nanoscale characterization tools should help to accelerate the development of polymer nanocomposites with superior properties.

Characterization of structural composites and biomaterials using nanomechanical, nanothermal, and nanoscale infrared spectroscopy and imaging

246th National Meeting (2013)

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