Elasticity of Single Poly(amido amine) Dendrimers

An atomic force microscope in the compression mode was used to probe the nanomechanical response of single dendrimeric molecules, as well as dendrimer aggregates adsorbed on silicon surface. The force‐compression behaviour of individual, generation 5 poly(amido amine) (PAMAM) dendrimers was described by a Hertzian model for the deformation of elastic bodies. The modulus values obtained ranged between 700 MPa (single dendrimers) and 150 MPa (dendrimer aggregates).