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

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Quantifying the Viscosity of Individual Submicrometer Semisolid Particles Using Atomic Force Microscopy.

Chamika K Madawala¹, Hansol D Lee¹, Chathuri P Kaluarachchi¹

¹Department of Chemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, United States.

Analytical Chemistry

|September 23, 2023

Summary

This study introduces atomic force microscopy (AFM) to measure the viscosity of individual atmospheric aerosols. This new method quantifies aerosol viscosity, crucial for understanding atmospheric chemistry and climate effects.

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Published on: February 22, 2018

Area of Science:

Atmospheric Chemistry
Physical Chemistry
Materials Science

Background:

Atmospheric aerosol viscosity is critical for gas diffusion, heterogeneous chemistry, and climate impacts.
Semisolid aerosols are common and exhibit diverse viscosities, yet direct measurements are challenging.
Existing techniques face limitations in measuring viscosity of individual submicrometer aerosols.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop and validate a novel method for quantifying the viscosity of individual submicrometer semisolid atmospheric aerosols.
To investigate the influence of relative humidity (RH) on aerosol viscosity.
To establish a technique applicable to a wide range of aerosol sizes and compositions.

Main Methods:

Utilized atomic force microscopy (AFM) force spectroscopy on substrate-deposited individual aerosol particles.
Applied the Kelvin-Voigt viscoelastic model to AFM data for viscosity determination.
Validated the method using model compounds like glucose, sucrose, and raffinose.

Main Results:

Successfully quantified viscosity of individual semisolid aerosol particles in the range of ~10^4-10^7 Pa s.
Demonstrated the AFM method's applicability to particles from tens of nanometers to several micrometers.
Showcased the method's independence from prior knowledge of particle composition.

Conclusions:

The AFM method provides a direct and versatile approach to measure individual aerosol viscosity as a function of RH.
This technique overcomes limitations of existing methods for submicrometer aerosol viscosity quantification.
Future applications on real atmospheric aerosols will enhance understanding of their role in atmospheric processes and climate.