Application of scanning probe microscopy to the characterization and fabrication of hybrid nanomaterials

Abstract

Scanning probe microscopy (SPM) is a widely used experimental technique for characterizing and fabricating nanostructures on surfaces. In particular, due to its ability to spatially map variations in materials properties with nanometer spatial resolution, SPM is particularly well suited to probe the subcomponents and interfaces of hybrid nanomaterials, i.e., materials that are made up of distinct nanometer scale components with distinguishable properties. In addition, the interaction of the SPM tip with materials can be intentionally tuned such that local surface modification is achieved. In this manner, hybrid nanostructures can also be fabricated on solid substrates using SPM. This report reviews recent developments in the characterization and fabrication of hybrid nanomaterials with SPM. Specific attention is given to nanomaterials that consist of both organic and inorganic components including individual biomolecules mounted on inorganic substrates. SPM techniques that are particularly well suited for characterizing the mechanical and electrical properties of such hybrid systems in atmospheric pressure environments are highlighted, and specific illustrative examples are provided. This review concludes with a brief discussion of the remaining challenges and promising future prospects for this field.

A Review on Potentiality of Nano Filler/Natural Fiber Filled Polymer Hybrid Composites

“…Reported work on nanocomposites are listed in Table 8 to make a review of technology of nano and micro-scale particle reinforcement regarding several polymeric fiber-reinforced systems including polyamide (PA), polyimide (PI), polyarylacetylene (PAA), poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK), epoxy resin (ER), polyester, polyurethane (PU), and poly p-phenylenebenzobisoxazole(PBO). Researchers show the various processing techniques in nanocomposites and the characterization with their corresponding techniques [4,[48][49][50][51][52]. Over conventional composites, nanocomposites display improvements in mechanical, electrical, thermal, and resistant (barrier) properties.…”

Selective nanoshaving of self-assembled monolayers of 2-(4-pyridylethyl)triethoxysilane

“…The process of nanoshaving has been described extensively elsewhere [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. Here, an AFM tip was used with a SiN cantilever and a 0.58 N/m spring constant so that in the low force contact mode the surface morphology could be imaged (Figure 3a).…”

“…Such examples are sometimes accompanied by replacement with another organic species [1,2,[8][9][10][11]. The former type of processing is nanoshaving [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] and the latter is "dip pen" nanolithography or "nanografting" [1,2,[8][9][10][11]. Selective oxidation of a self-assembled monolayer is also possible [2].…”

“…Selective oxidation of a self-assembled monolayer is also possible [2]. While this type of nanoshaving can lead to well defined "nanoscale" features in a monolayer molecular film [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11], selective mechanical "cutting" or bond breaking within the molecule, for only part of the molecular film, has not been demonstrated. Over-cutting or etching using an AFM tip is certainly possible [3][4][5][6][7]12], but mechanically engineering the organic surface selectively within the monomolecular layer opens up new vistas for selective nanoscale surface modifications and surface chemistry.…”

Metrology for Emerging Devices and Materials

“…Atomic Force Microscopy can provide structural information with angstrom resolution in the vertical direction but is limited to roughly 10 nm resolution in lateral direction (14,15). Scanning Kelvin Probe Microscopy (SKPM) can profile local potentials but is also limited to approximately 10 nm lateral resolution (14,16,17).…”