Applications of Scanning Probe Microscopes STM, AFM, FFM to Surface and Colloidal Chemistry

2 APPLICATIONS OF SCANNING PROBE MICROSCOPES (STM, AFM, FFM) TO SURFACE AND COLLOIDAL CHEMISTRY 

During the end of the 20th century, a surge in the development of significantly advanced techniques has advanced nanoscience and technology in the development of self-assembly structures—micelles, monolayers, vesicles—biomolecules, biosensors, and surface and colloidal chemistry. In fact, the current literature indicates that there is no end to this trend regarding the vast expansion in the sensitivity and level of information. 

The ultimate aim of scientists has always been to be able to see molecules while active. In order to achieve this goal, the microscope should be able to operate under ambient conditions. Further, all kinds of molecular interactions between a solid and its environment (gas or liquid or solid), initially, can take place only via the surface molecules of the interface. It is obvious that, when a solid or liquid interacts with another phase, knowledge of the molecular structures at these interfaces is of interest. The term surface is generally used in the context of gas-liquid or gas-solid phase boundaries, while the term interface is used for liquid-liquid or liquid-solid phases. Furthermore, many fundamental properties of surfaces are characterized by morphology scales of the order of 1 to 20 nm (1 nm = 10-9 m = 10 A (Angstrom = 10-8 cm). 

Generally, the basic issues that should be addressed for these different interfaces are as follows  

What do the molecules of a solid surface look like, and how are the characteristics of these different from the bulk molecules In the case of crystals, one asks about the kinks and dislocations. 

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