Sub-nanometer Resolution Imaging with Amplitude-modulation Atomic Force Microscopy in Liquid.
Sub-nanometer Resolution Imaging with Amplitude-modulation Atomic Force Microscopy in Liquid.
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DOI：
10.3791/54924
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发表时间：
2016-12-20
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影响因子：
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通讯作者：
Voïtchovsky K
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文献类型：
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作者：
Miller EJ;Trewby W;Farokh Payam A;Piantanida L;Cafolla C;Voïtchovsky K
原子力显微镜（AFM）已成为一种成熟的空气和液体样品纳米级成像技术。最近的研究表明，当在调幅（敲击）模式下操作时，原子或分子水平的分辨率图像可以在液体中广泛的软、硬样品上实现。在这些情况下，小振荡振幅（SAM-AFM）通过利用样品表面的溶剂化液体来提高分辨率。尽管该技术已经成功地应用于材料科学、生物学和生物物理学以及表面化学等多个领域，但对于新手来说，在液体中获得高分辨率图像仍然是一个挑战。这部分是由于大量的变量控制和优化，如选择悬臂，样品制备，和正确的操作成像参数。在这里，我们提出了一种在商用仪器上使用SAM-AFM实现流体中硬样品和软样品的高分辨率图像的方案。我们的目标是为实现高分辨率图像提供一步一步的实用指南，包括设备和样品的清洁和制备，悬臂的选择和成像参数的优化。对于每个步骤，我们解释了我们选择背后的科学原理，以促进方法适应每个用户的特定系统。
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has become a well-established technique for nanoscale imaging of samples in air and in liquid. Recent studies have shown that when operated in amplitude-modulation (tapping) mode, atomic or molecular-level resolution images can be achieved over a wide range of soft and hard samples in liquid. In these situations, small oscillation amplitudes (SAM-AFM) enhance the resolution by exploiting the solvated liquid at the surface of the sample. Although the technique has been successfully applied across fields as diverse as materials science, biology and biophysics and surface chemistry, obtaining high-resolution images in liquid can still remain challenging for novice users. This is partly due to the large number of variables to control and optimize such as the choice of cantilever, the sample preparation, and the correct manipulation of the imaging parameters. Here, we present a protocol for achieving high-resolution images of hard and soft samples in fluid using SAM-AFM on a commercial instrument. Our goal is to provide a step-by-step practical guide to achieving high-resolution images, including the cleaning and preparation of the apparatus and the sample, the choice of cantilever and optimization of the imaging parameters. For each step, we explain the scientific rationale behind our choices to facilitate the adaptation of the methodology to every user's specific system.