AFM force distance curve measurement for surface investigation of polymers compound blend with metal nanoparticles

The atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been used to perform surface force measurements in contact mode to investigate surface properties of model systems in the nanoscale. Two different polymers compound are observed include Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). Both polymers compound are blended with metal nanoparticles consist of gold and silver by compare with the pristine polymer. The results from adhesion force and surface roughness tests are inversed. The adhesion force is increased with the NPs concentration whereas the surface roughness is decreased. Hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties of the polymer have been studied by employing contact angle. However, variation of contact angle of polymer nanocomposites is confirmed the hydrophobicity of PDMS while PVDF is certainly different around 70-77° of Ag NPs and 70-81° of Au NPs.