Evaluation of elastic modulus of ultra-thin vermiculite membranes by contact mode atomic force microscopy imaging

► We have investigated mechanical properties of nanometer-thick multilayer vermiculite. ► Suspended vermiculite membranes were characterized by atomic force microscopy. ► Mechanical deformation of the membranes was analyzed with finite element analysis. ► In-plane elastic modulus of the exfoliated multilayer vermiculite was 175 ± 16 GPa.