Liquid imaging provides intrinsic advantages for atomic force microscopy (AFM) experiments, particularly for conducting in situ studies of chemical or biochemical reactions. Using liquid media with AFM can improve resolution, since the amount of force applied between the tip and sample is reduced. Surface changes caused by immersion in different liquids can be investigated, such as for studying reactions with different parameters of solvent polarity, pH or ion concentration. Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of n-alkanethiols and n-alkylsiloxanes provide model systems for AFM investigations. By injecting new molecules into the sample cell, AFM-based nanofabrication can be accomplished with SAMs using nanografting protocols. Particle lithography combined with vapor deposition was applied to fabricate periodic, ring-shaped nanopatterns of organosilanes with well-defined geometries. The shapes of silane nanostructures change in ethanolic media due to swelling indicating solvent-responsiveness. Liquid environments expand the capabilities for scanning probe studies to provide insight for dynamic processes at the molecular-level.

Advantages of liquid imaging media for molecular-level studies with atomic force microscopy

245th National Meeting (2013)

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