Analysis of Atomic Surface Structure Using In-Situ AFM

固(电极)/溶液界面的原位表征在发生在这些界面上的电化学过程中特别重要。最近，我们团队和其他几个团队利用原位扫描隧道显微镜(STM)获得了一些金属或半导体在电极/溶液界面上的原子图像。然而，扫描隧道显微镜的测量仅限于导电材料，在这种材料中，扫描隧道显微镜测量针尖和样品之间的隧道电流。相反，原子力显微镜(AFM)作为扫描探针显微镜的一种，已经可以用来测量非导电材料的表面结构。在这项研究中，我们致力于发展固/溶液界面的原位原子力显微镜方法。到目前为止，我们的研究取得了以下结果：1)隔振系统、反馈电路、2)在STM测量中实现了金(Au)和吸附物种的原子图像的观察。3)在纯水中实现了对云母和石墨原子图像的AFM观察。4)在电位控制下实现了对Au(111)上阶梯结构的AFM观察。5)研制了精工仪器公司生产的商用AFM设备。这一成果基于我们如上所述的基本结果。

In-situ characterization of solid(electrode)/solution interfaces is of particularly importance in electrochemical processes occurring at these interfaces. Recently, our group and several other groups have achieved atomic images of some metals or semiconductors at the electrode/solution interface using in situ scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). However, STM measurements has been limited to only electrically conductive materials in which the STM measures tunneling currents between the tip and the sample. On the contrary, the atomic force microscopy (AFM), which is one of the scanning probe microscopes, has been possible to measure the surface structure of nonconductive materials. In this study, we aimed at the development of in situ AFM methods at solid/solution interfaces.Following results were obtained in our studies so far.1)Vibration isolation systems, feed back circuits, and other components have been established using an STM apparatus in order to achieve an atomic resolution.2)Observations of atomic images of gold (Au) and adsorbed species have been achieved in STM measurements.3)AFM observations of atomic image of mica and graphite have been achieved in a pure water.4)AFM observations of step-terrace structures on Au(111) have been achieved under the potential controlled.5)Developments of a commercial available apparatus of AFM made by Seiko Instruments Inc. have been done. This fruit bases on our fundamental results as mentioned above.