R.D. Murphy, R.O. Watts
Journal of Low Temperature Physics
Molecular relaxation of a copolymer designed for nano-electromechanical systems was chemically confined by varying the spacing between cross-links, δ c. A critical cross-link spacing of 1-3 nm marks a transition in the nano-mechanical properties evaluated by atomic force microscopy. The transition reveals an interplay between the cross-link spacing and the length scale for backbone relaxation, ξ α, in cooperatively rearranging regions. For δ c ≫ ξ α, the natural backbone relaxation process is relatively unaffected by the cross-links and a ductile, low hardness behavior results. For δ c ≫ ξ α, the cross-finks directly interfere with backbone relaxation and confine segmental mobility, leading to a brittle, high hardness response. © 2006 American Chemical Society.
R.D. Murphy, R.O. Watts
Journal of Low Temperature Physics
Shu-Jen Han, Dharmendar Reddy, et al.
ACS Nano
K.A. Chao
Physical Review B
R.W. Gammon, E. Courtens, et al.
Physical Review B