Acquisition of a Scanning Probe Microscope for Atomic Level Investigations of Chemical Systems

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

With support from the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program, the Department of Chemistry at Mary Washington College will acquire a scanning probe microscope (SPM). This equipment will enhance research in a number of areas including a) the study of intermolecular interactions in physisorbed self-assemblies (structures and competitive depositions); b) in situ membrane construction studies; and c) in situ visualization of drug-DNA interactions. The scanning probe microscope (SPM) enables researchers to image atoms directly. The technique uses the piezoelectric effect which involves bringing an extremely sharp metal needle within a few angstroms of the sample surface. The distance is small enough for electrons to leak or tunnel across the gap and generate a minute current. As the gap between the tip and the sample increases, the current decreases. As the probe crosses the sample, moving back and forth across its surface, it traces out a contour map of the sample's surface atoms. These studies will have impact in materials and medicinal chemistry.