Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA.
Mechanical properties of nanoparticle chain aggregates (NCA) including tensile strength and Young's modulus were measured using an instrument incorporating an AFM tip under SEM imaging. The NCA were studied individually and as network films. Carbon NCA were made by laser ablation of graphite, and SnO2 NCA were made by oxidation of a tin compound. The films were deformable and showed elastic behavior. NCA serve as reinforcing fillers in rubber and films of SnO2 NCA for trace gas detection.