Quantitative Nano-characterization of Polymers Using Atomic Force Microscopy
Milad Radiom,
Christoph Weder,
Katharina M. Fromm,
Andreas F. M. Kilbinger,
Plinio Maroni,
Mathieu A. Ayer,
Michela di Giannantonio,
Phally Kong,
Svilen Kozhuharov,
Michal Borkovec
Affiliations
Milad Radiom
Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry University of Geneva Sciences II 30, Quai Ernest-Ansermet CH-1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland. [email protected]
Christoph Weder
Adolphe Merkle Institute University of Fribourg Chemin des Verdiers 4, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
Katharina M. Fromm
Department of Chemistry University of Fribourg Chemin du Musée 9, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
Andreas F. M. Kilbinger
Department of Chemistry University of Fribourg Chemin du Musée 9, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
Plinio Maroni
Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry University of Geneva Sciences II 30, Quai Ernest-Ansermet CH-1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
Mathieu A. Ayer
Adolphe Merkle Institute University of Fribourg Chemin des Verdiers 4, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
Michela di Giannantonio
Department of Chemistry University of Fribourg Chemin du Musée 9, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
Phally Kong
Department of Chemistry University of Fribourg Chemin du Musée 9, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
Svilen Kozhuharov
Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry University of Geneva Sciences II 30, Quai Ernest-Ansermet CH-1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
Michal Borkovec
Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry University of Geneva Sciences II 30, Quai Ernest-Ansermet CH-1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
The present article offers an overview on the use of atomic force microscopy (AFM) to characterize the nanomechanical properties of polymers. AFM imaging reveals the conformations of polymer molecules at solid– liquid interfaces. In particular, for polyelectrolytes, the effect of ionic strength on the conformations of molecules can be studied. Examination of force versus extension profiles obtained using AFM-based single molecule force spectroscopy gives information on the entropic and enthalpic elasticities in pN to nN force range. In addition, single molecule force spectroscopy can be used to trigger chemical reactions and transitions at the molecular level when force-sensitive chemical units are embedded in a polymer backbone.
