When a twist angle
is applied between two layered materials (LMs),
the registry of the layers and the associated change in their functional
properties are spatially modulated, and a moiré superlattice
arises. Several works explored the optical, electric, and electromechanical
moiré-dependent properties of such twisted LMs but, to the
best of our knowledge, no direct visualization and quantification
of van der Waals (vdW) interlayer interactions has been presented,
so far. Here, we use tapping mode atomic force microscopy phase-imaging
to probe the spatial modulation of the vdW potential in twisted hexagonal
boron nitride. We find a moiré superlattice in the phase channel
only when noncontact (long-range) forces are probed, revealing the
modulation of the vdW potential at the sample surface, following AB
and BA stacking domains. The creation of scalable electrostatic domains,
modulating the vdW potential at the interface with the environment
by means of layer twisting, could be used for local adhesion engineering
and surface functionalization by affecting the deposition of molecules
or nanoparticles.