Modification of a commercial atomic force microscopy for low-noise, high-resolution frequency-modulation imaging in liquid environment

Rode, Sebastian; Stark, Robert W.; Lübbe, Jannis; Tröger, L.; Schütte, Jens; Umeda, Kenichi; Kobayashi, Kei; Yamada, Hirofumi; Kühnle, Angelika

doi:10.1063/1.3606399

Cited by 33 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 16 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…44 Next, we explore whether we can make use of this subtle difference to provide chemical identification of these two interfacial cations on the surface of dolomite. To address this challenging task, we have optimized a commercial AFM setup for performing high-resolution imaging at the solid−liquid interface 27,28 and added a highly flexible routine for collecting 3D AFM data. 29 As reference, we first analyze distancedependent data on calcite at four sites (two above the cations, two above the anions) within the calcite surface unit cell.…”

Section: ■ Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chemical Identification at the Solid–Liquid Interface

et al. 2016

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Solid−liquid interfaces are decisive for a wide range of natural and technological processes, including fields as diverse as geochemistry and environmental science as well as catalysis and corrosion protection. Dynamic atomic force microscopy nowadays provides unparalleled structural insights into solid−liquid interfaces, including the solvation structure above the surface. In contrast, chemical identification of individual interfacial atoms still remains a considerable challenge. So far, an identification of chemically alike atoms in a surface alloy has only been demonstrated under well-controlled ultrahigh vacuum conditions. In liquids, the recent advent of three-dimensional force mapping has opened the potential to discriminate between anionic and cationic surface species. However, a full chemical identification will also include the far more challenging situation of alike interfacial atoms (i.e., with the same net charge). Here we demonstrate the chemical identification capabilities of dynamic atomic force microscopy at solid−liquid interfaces by identifying Ca and Mg cations at the dolomite−water interface. Analyzing site-specific vertical positions of hydration layers and comparing them with molecular dynamics simulations unambiguously unravels the minute but decisive difference in ion hydration and provides a clear means for telling calcium and magnesium ions apart. Our work, thus, demonstrates the chemical identification capabilities of dynamic AFM at the solid−liquid interface.

show abstract

Section: ■ Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chemical Identification at the Solid–Liquid Interface

et al. 2016

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Such techniques, however, require external sensing elements, making the overall system somewhat bulky, costly and complex. Moreover, due to significant quality factor drop of conventional AFM cantilevers in air and liquid (limited to 100 and 10, respectively), true atomic resolution imaging and force measurements in air and especially in liquid remain a formidable challenge [4]. Employing sophisticated instrumentation and readout electronics along with application of proper modifications within commercially available AFMs, subatomic displacement and force resolutions have been demonstrated in liquid [4], [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, due to significant quality factor drop of conventional AFM cantilevers in air and liquid (limited to 100 and 10, respectively), true atomic resolution imaging and force measurements in air and especially in liquid remain a formidable challenge [4]. Employing sophisticated instrumentation and readout electronics along with application of proper modifications within commercially available AFMs, subatomic displacement and force resolutions have been demonstrated in liquid [4], [5]. For instance, using small oscillation amplitude (0.16-0.33 nm) of a ∼40 N/m cantilever, vertical resolution of 2-6 pm has been shown [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Atomic Resolution Disk Resonant Force and Displacement Sensors for Measurements in Liquid

Mehdizadeh

Rostami

Guo

et al. 2014

IEEE Electron Device Lett.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This letter presents resonant microelectromechanical systems capable of resolving subatomic features and/or measurement of atomic level forces in liquid media (in addition to air/vacuum). It has previously been shown that forces in the micro-and nano-Newton range applied to flexible extensionalmode resonant microstructures can cause significant resonant frequency shifts [1]. In this letter, the same principle has been applied to rotational mode disk resonators that are capable of maintaining relatively high quality factors in liquid. Preliminary results indicate about tenfold improvement in combined displacement-force resolution figure-of-merit compared with typical piezoresistive cantilevers when operating in liquid. Using integrated comb-drive electrostatic actuators, displacement and force resolutions as high as 200 fm and 1 nN, respectively, have been demonstrated. By application of the force through a levering mechanism, force sensitivities in the pN range can be achieved while maintaining sub-nm spatial resolution.Index Terms-MEMS resonant force-displacement sensor, in-liquid measurements, atomic force microscopy.

show abstract

“…High-resolution imaging in FM-AFM mode in liquids is enabled by rigorous noise reduction, 38 providing true atomic resolution on a routine basis. Moreover, to avoid problems associated with the so-called "forest of peaks" 39 in the resonance spectrum, we have implemented photothermal excitation.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular Self-Assembly Versus Surface Restructuring During Calcite Dissolution

et al. 2016

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Organic additives are known to alter the mineral-water interface in various ways. On the one hand, organic molecules can selfassemble into ordered structures wetting the surface. On the other hand, their presence can affect the interfacial morphology, referred to as surface restructuring. Here, we investigate the impact of a class of calciumcomplexing azo dyes on the dissolution of calcite (10.4) using high-resolution atomic force microscopy operated in aqueous solution, with a focus on the two constitutional isomers Eriochrome Black T and Eriochrome Black A. A very pronounced surface restructuring is observed in the presence of the dye solution, irrespective of the specific dye used and independent of the pH. This surface restructuring is obtained by the stabilization of both the nonpolar acute and the polar [010] step edges, resulting in a greatly altered, characteristic interface morphology. In sharp contrast to the prevalence of the surface restructuring, an ordered molecular structure on the crystal terraces is observed only under very specific conditions. This formation of an ordered stripe-like molecular structure is obtained from Eriochrome Black A only and limited to a very narrow pH window at a pH value of around 3.6. Our results indicate that such molecular self-assembly requires a rather precise adjustment of the molecular properties including control of the conformation and deprotonation state. This is in sharp contrast to the additive-induced surface restructuring, which appears to be far more robust against both pH changes and variations in the molecular conformation.

show abstract

Modification of a commercial atomic force microscopy for low-noise, high-resolution frequency-modulation imaging in liquid environment

Cited by 33 publications

References 16 publications

Chemical Identification at the Solid–Liquid Interface

Chemical Identification at the Solid–Liquid Interface

Atomic Resolution Disk Resonant Force and Displacement Sensors for Measurements in Liquid

Molecular Self-Assembly Versus Surface Restructuring During Calcite Dissolution

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About