How far we can push the limits of AFM resolution in soft matter?

Session

Atomic and Molecular Resolution Phenomena via AFM, STM and Scanning Probes

Authors

Dr Vladimir Korolkov (1)

Affiliations

1. Park Systems

Keywords

high resolution, molecules, peptides, networks, polymers

Abstract text

Understanding the intricate details of exquisite molecular architecture is pivotal in most areas of soft mater. This ranges from molecular packing in polymers, supramolecular systems on surfaces to capsomere assemblies in viruses. 

In this work, we will present a number of case studies where ambient Atomic Force Microscopy has been successfully applied to understand molecular ordering in real-world polymers, unveil the structure of hydrogen bonded molecular networks and study the evolution of mosaic viruses in the ambient and liquid environment.

We will demonstrate how the use of higher eigenmodes imaging [1] provides a routine approach to achieving molecular, and in some instances submolecular resolution, on a wide range of soft matter samples. This approach, unlike others, does not require any special cantilevers or custom modified AFM components. Here, we have implemented this technique on a commercial AFM to achieve molecular resolution on a real-world samples of Teflon, polyethylene and i-polypropylene  (Figure 1).

We will discuss challenges and advantages of applying higher eigenmode imaging technique in structural studies of polymers.