Scanning Force Microscopy of Polymers, 2010 Springer Laboratory Series

Scope of the Book Synthetic and natural polymers exhibit a complex structural and morphological hierarchy on multiple length scales [1], which determines their performance. Thus, research aiming at visualizing structure and morphology using a multitude of microscopy techniques has received considerable attention since the early days of polymer science and technology. Various well-developed techniques such as optical microscopy and different forms of electron microscopy (Scanning Electron Micr- copy, SEM; Transmission Electron Microscopy, TEM; Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy, ESEM) allow one to view polymeric structure at different levels of magni?cation. These classical techniques, and their applications to po- mers, are well documented in the literature [2, 3]. The invention of Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM) inspired the devel- ment of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and other forms of scanning proximity microscopes in the late 1980s [4, 5]. AFM, unlike STM, can be used to image n- conducting specimens such as polymers. In addition, AFM imaging is feasible in liquids, which has several advantages. Using liquid imaging cells the forces between specimen and AFM probe are drastically reduced, thus sample damage is prevented. In addition, the use of water as imaging medium opened up new applications aiming at imaging, characterizing, and analyzing biologically important systems.

Introduction (Vancso) Part I: Principles: Theory and Practice 1. Physical Principles of Scanning Probe Microscopy Imaging (Vancso) 2. Atomic Force Microscopy in Practice (Schönherr) 2.1 Assembling of AFM's for operation 2.1.1 Scanned sample AFM (contact mode) 2.1.2 Stand alone AFM (contact mode) 2.1.3 Intermittent contact (tapping) mode 2.2 Practical issues of AFM operation 2.2.1 AFM cantilevers, tips and their characteristics 2.2.2 Sample preparation 2.2.3 Choice of operation modes and suitable imaging environments 2.2.4 Tip handling modification procedures 2.2.5 Calibration issues 2.2.6 General guidelines for AFM laboratories 2.2.7 Data evaluation 2.2.8 Typical AFM artefacts 2.3 References / further reading Part II. Case Studies: Macromolecules, Polymer Morphology and Polymer Surface Properties by AFM 3 Visualization of Macromolecules and Polymer Morphology 3.1 Structural Hierarchy in Polymers (Vancso) 3.2 Single Component Systems (Schönherr) 3.2.1 Visualization of Single Macromolecules 3.2.1.1 Visualization of Poly(ethylene imine) (PEI) Adsorbed on Mica 3.2.1.2 Visualization of Poly(amidoamine) Dendrimers Adsorbed on Mica 3.2.2 Lattice Visualization of Crystallized Homopolymers 3.2.2.1 Lattice Visualization of Poly(tetrafluoro ethylene) (PTFE) by CM-AFM 3.2.2.2 Lattice Visualization of Poly(oxy methylene) (POM) by CM-AFM 3.2.3 Amorphous Polymers 3.2.3.1 Imaging of the Surface Morphology of Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) by TM-AFM 3.2.3.2 Imaging of Dewetted Perfluoropolyether Lubricant on Hard Disc Surfaces by TM-AFM 3.2.4 Lamellar Crystals (Crystallized from Solution or Melt) 3.2.4.1 Solution-Grown Lamellae of POM and PE by CM-AFM 3.2.4.2 Lamellae inIsotactic Polypropylene (iPP) by TM-AFM 3.2.4.3 Lamellae in Spin-Coated Films of Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) by TM- AFM 3.2.5 Extended Chain Crystals and Shish-Kebob Structures 3.2.5.1 CM-AFM on Extended Chain Crystals of Cold-Drawn PET 3.2.5.2 TM-AFM on Shish-Kebob Morphology in Drawn Polyethylene Copolymers 3.2.6 Hedrites and Spherulites 3.2.6.1 Sample Preparation: Melt Crystallization Followed by Etching 3.2.6.2 CM-AFM on Thin Films of Isotactic Polypropylene (iPP) - a-iPP 3.2.7 References 3.3 Biopolymers (Schönherr) 3.3.1 Imaging of Biological and Biopolymer Specimens under Liquid 3.3.1.1 AFM under liquid 3.3.1.2 Mounting the liquid cell (dry sample) 3.3.1.3 CM-AFM operation under liquid 3.3.1.4 TM-AFM operation under liquid 3.3.2 Hand-on examples 3.3.2.1 Visualization of Adsorbed Lipid Vesicles and Bilayers 3.3.2.2 Visualization of Polymerizable Lipid Bilayers 3.3.2.3 Visualization of the Tobacco Mosaic Virus 3.3.2.4 Cellulose Fibers in Pulp 3.3.2.5 Cellulose Microcrystals 3.3.2.6 Polysaccharides: Xanthan gum 3.3.2.7 Collagen 3.3.2.8 Crystallized Protein Layers : Streptavidin 3.3.2.9 Lambda DNA 3.3.2.10 Biocompatible Polymers 3.3.3 References 3.4 Multi Component Systems (Schönherr) 3.4.1 Materials Contrast in AFM Imaging of Multi Component Systems 3.4.2 Block Copolymers 3.4.2.1 Visualization of Microphase Separated Morphology of Films of Polystyrene-b-polyisoprene-b-polystyrene 3.4.2.2 Visualization of Microphase Separated Morphology of Hydrolyzed Films of polystyrene-b-poly(tert-butyl acrylate) 3.4.3 Polymer Blends 3.4.3.1 Identification of Phases in Blend of PMMA and PB 3.4.3.2 Identification of Phases in Blends of Impact Polymers by FMM 3.4.4 Filled Polymer Systems 3.4.4.1 Distribution of