Meyer, E. and Howald, L. and Overney, R. M. and Heinzelmann, H. and Frommer, J. and Guntherodt, H. J. and Wagner, T. and Schier, H. and Roth, S.. (1991) Molecular-resolution images of Langmuir-Blodgett films using atomic force microscopy. Nature, Vol. 349, H. 6308. pp. 398-400.
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Official URL: http://edoc.unibas.ch/dok/A5839531
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Abstract
THE ability to prepare thin films of amphiphilic molecules (Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films) is valuable to many areas of research. In biology they provide models for ideal membranes; the two-dimensional behaviour and structural phase transitions are of fundamental interest in surface physics; and their tribological characteristics suggest potential engineering applications. For determining the structure of these films, the common techniques such as X-ray and neutron scattering are limited to thick (greater-than-or-similar-to 200 angstrom) multilayers. Thinner films can be studied by transmission electron microscopy and low-energy electron diffraction 1,2, but these electron-beam techniques tend to damage thin films. More recently, the scanning tunnelling microscope 3 has provided a non-destructive means of investigating the structures of LB films 4-6, but as the films are insulating, the interpretation of such images has been controversial. The atomic force microscope 7 is not plagued with these ambiguities, as it does not require a conductive sample. Here we present images, with molecular resolution, of LB films of cadmium arachidate deposited on an amorphous silicate substrate. Despite the disorder in the substrate, the films display a periodic structure over large distances (several hundreds of angstroms). This suggests that the adsorbed molecules near the interface are driven to self-assemble primarily, if not solely, by intermolecular forces rather than by dependence on substrate periodicity.
Faculties and Departments: | 05 Faculty of Science > Departement Physik > Physik > Nanomechanik (Meyer) |
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UniBasel Contributors: | Meyer, Ernst |
Item Type: | Article, refereed |
Article Subtype: | Research Article |
Publisher: | Macmillan |
ISSN: | 0028-0836 |
Note: | Publication type according to Uni Basel Research Database: Journal article |
Identification Number: |
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Last Modified: | 14 Sep 2012 07:17 |
Deposited On: | 14 Sep 2012 06:42 |
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