A study on nanoindentation and tribological behaviour of multifunctional ZnO/PMMA nanocomposite

This work aims to compare the scratch hardness with the indentation hardness of ZnO nanoparticle reinforced polymethylmethacrylate (ZnO/PMMA) composites obtained from nanoindentation measurements. 50 μm thick films ZnO/PMMA nanocomposites were produced by the in-situ spin coating method. Scratch hardness was measured from the scratch width origin at low load during the course of the scratch measurements. A good correlation was found between the scratch hardness and the indentation hardness at low indentation depth, where a linear relationship between hardness and the reinforcement content of ZnO nanoparticles was observed. The composite was structurally established by transmission electron microscopy and furrier transform infrared spectroscopy.

Graphical AbstractFigure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Spherical ZnO/PMMA nanocomposites were fabricated by the in-situ spin coating.
► Various nanomechanical properties of the composite were observed (Fig. a–c).
► Good correlation between the scratch hardness and indentation hardness was observed.
► 0.5 wt% ZnO reinforcement showed maximum stability.