Mapping Heterogeneity in NanoTiO2/Polymer Coatings Using Confocal Microscopy and Depth Sensing Indentation

Published

October 14, 2009

Author(s)

Li Piin Sung

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to develop relevant metrology to measure the appropriate structure-property relationship at a proper length scale to understand the interplay between nanoparticle and polymeric matrix. In this paper, we present the preliminary results using a combination of laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) and depth sensing indentation (DSI) techniques to probe and map surface/subsurface heterogeneity of the nanoparticle-filled polymeric coatings and to relate to their surface mechanical properties. Nanoparticle-polymer coating systems of different dispersion states were prepared using particle-polymer interactions in different polymer matrices. Two types of TiO2 nanoparticles (with and without surface treatment) were chosen to mix into two different polymeric matrices. The heterogeneity in surface and subsurface was characterized using LSCM. The resultant surface mechanical properties were measured by DSI using different sizes and shapes of indenter tip. The best correlation was found for nanoparticle dispersion (cluster size and distribution) and surface modulus mapping while using a pyramidal shape tip.

Proceedings Title

ACS Polymeric Materials: Science and Engineering Preprints

Conference Dates

March 21-25, 2010

Conference Location

San Francisco, CA

Conference Title

239th ACS National Meeting & Exposition

Pub Type

Conferences

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Keywords

depth sensing indentation, laser scanning confocal microscopy, nanoparticle dispersion, surface modulus, TiO2

Citation

Sung, L. (2009), Mapping Heterogeneity in NanoTiO2/Polymer Coatings Using Confocal Microscopy and Depth Sensing Indentation, ACS Polymeric Materials: Science and Engineering Preprints, San Francisco, CA, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=904088 (Accessed October 16, 2025)