Nanomechanical characterization of polyaniline coated tobacco mosaic virus nanotubes

Mechanical properties of polyaniline (PANT) coated self-assembled tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) nanotubes were measured by nanoindentation with an atomic force microscope (AFM) probe. The elastic modulus Of PANI/TMV core-shell biocomposite tubes (outer diameter: 19 nm, inner diameter: 4 nm, PANI coating thickness: 0.5 run) was measured from the AFM force-displacement Curves. Structural characteristics of the, PANI coating, TMV tube, and their interface were studied by comparing the mechanical properties of individual constituent materials. Results showed that coating with a thin layer of PANT can change the physical and chemical properties of TMV nanotubes. The deformation behavior Of Such core-shell biocomposite tubes is discussed in conjunction With the obtained AFM force-displacement curves, van der Waals interaction between PANI and TMV, and mechanical properties of individual Constituent materials. (C) 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.