AFM imaging and nanoindentation of polymer of intrinsic microporosity PIM-1

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy 2017-09, Vol.42 (37), p.23915-23919
• Main Authors: Polak-Kraśna, K., Fuhrhop, C., Rochat, S., Burrows, A.D., Georgiadis, A., Bowen, C.R., Mays, T.J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: AFM nanoindentation; Hydrogen storage; Mechanical characterisation; PIM-1; Polymer of intrinsic microporosity
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2017.04.081

Polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs) have promising gas adsorption properties for potential applications such as incorporation into high-pressure hydrogen storage tanks in an effort to increase the storage capacity or decrease the operating pressure. Such applications require detailed mechanical characterisation and determination of the structure-properties relationships to enable optimisation of the interface between the polymer and the tank. In this study, we show that Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) nanoindentation can be used to determine the elastic modulus of cast PIM-1 films and that this property is depth-dependent. Average values of elastic modulus obtained experimentally were 1.87 GPa and are compared with elastic tensile modulus and storage tensile modulus obtained in previous studies. In addition, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and AFM imaging was performed to investigate the surface structure of the cast PIM-1 film, which has been shown to be highly granular. •PIM-1 film was mechanically tested for hydrogen storage tank liner application.•Young's modulus was measured using AFM nanoindentation technique.•Results are consistent with values obtained with tensile testing and DMTA.•Elastic properties are decreasing with indentation depth.