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Atomic Force Microscopy

Atomic Force Microscopy

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a type of scanning probe microscopy that can analyze topographic details of various specimens like ceramics, glass, polymers, and biological samples. AFM offers over 1000 times more resolution than the optical imaging system. Images generated from AFM are three-dimensional surface profiles, offering an advantage over the flat, two-dimensional images from other imaging techniques.
The AFM Probe
The probe is regarded as the heart of any AFM setup and comprises the...

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Related Experiment Video

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Sub-nanometer Resolution Imaging with Amplitude-modulation Atomic Force Microscopy in Liquid

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Probing the adsorption of weak acids on graphite using amplitude modulation-frequency modulation atomic force

Ahmed M A Moustafa¹, Jun Huang², Kerry N McPhedran¹

¹†Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2W2, Canada.

Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids

|February 25, 2015

Summary

Direct visualization of decanoic acid adsorption on graphite using AM-FM AFM revealed negatively charged hydrogen bonding drives self-assembled layer formation. Water-plasma treatment enabled uniform adsorption across the surface.

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Area of Science:

Surface Science
Materials Chemistry
Nanotechnology

Background:

Adsorption of self-assembled layers (SAL) on carbon surfaces is crucial for various applications.
Previous studies attributed SAL adsorption to negatively charged hydrogen bonding (-CAHB), but direct visualization was lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

To directly visualize and characterize the adsorption behavior of decanoic acid (DA) on highly ordered pyrolytic graphite (HOPG).
To investigate the role of -CAHB in SAL formation on HOPG.
To explore the effect of surface functionalization on DA adsorption.

Main Methods:

Amplitude Modulation-Frequency Modulation Atomic Force Microscopy (AM-FM AFM) for high-resolution imaging.
Thermodynamics calculations and adsorption isotherms to understand adsorption driving forces.
Water-plasma treatment to modify HOPG surface properties.

Main Results:

AM-FM AFM successfully visualized DA adsorption on HOPG, confirming SAL formation.
Adsorption was driven by -CAHB between DA and negatively charged functional groups on HOPG.
Multilayer adsorption and aggregate formation were observed on HOPG-functionalized steps.
Water-plasma treatment resulted in uniform DA adsorption over the entire HOPG surface.

Conclusions:

Direct visualization confirms -CAHB as the primary mechanism for DA SAL adsorption on HOPG.
Surface functionalization significantly influences the adsorption pattern and uniformity of DA.
AM-FM AFM is a powerful tool for characterizing molecular adsorption at the nanoscale.