Abstract
AFM has been recognized as one of the most powerful tools for the analysis of surface morphologies because it creates three-dimensional images at angstrom and nano scale. This technique has been exhaustively used in the analyses of dispersion of nanometric components in nanocomposites and in polymer blends, because of the easiness of sample preparation and lower equipment maintenance costs compared to electron microscopy. In this review, contributions using AFM are described, with emphasis on the dispersion of nanofillers in polymeric matrices. It is aimed to show the importance of technical analysis for nanocomposites and polymer blends based on elastomers.
Highlights
Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) is a mechanic-optical instrument able to detect forces of the order to piconewtons (10–12 N)
AFM and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) were used to analyze the dispersion of the fillers in the matrix and, according to the both techniques, Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) interact with carbon black (CB) aggregates resulting in improvement in the mechanical and electrical conductivity due to lower percolation threshold than that obtained with samples only filled with CNTs
Various works about characterization of nanofillers dispersion by using AFM technique have been presented
Summary
Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) is a mechanic-optical instrument able to detect forces of the order to piconewtons (10–12 N). AFM and TEM were used to analyze the dispersion of the fillers in the matrix and, according to the both techniques, CNTs interact with CB aggregates resulting in improvement in the mechanical and electrical conductivity due to lower percolation threshold than that obtained with samples only filled with CNTs. Bhattacharyya et al.[41] studied the modifications of the NR properties with the addition of Carboxylated Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes (c-MWCNT).
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