https://doi.org/10.1140/epje/i2003-10056-0
Elastic properties of polyelectrolyte capsules studied by atomic-force microscopy and RICM
Max Planck Institute for Colloid and Interface Research, 14424 , Potsdam, Germany
* e-mail: Andreas.Fery@mpikg-golm.mpg.de
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.
© EDP Sciences, Società Italiana di Fisica, and Springer-Verlag, 2003
