A Study of the Probe Effect on the Apparent Image of Biological Atomic Force Microscopy

The atomic force microscopy (AFM) possesses high spatial resolution and it is compatible with liquid environments. AFM can provide possibility to study a wide range of biological problems at the molecular level and acquire topological information at nanometre resolution under physiological conditions1,2. However, a major problem for image reconstruction of biological specimens is that structures of most biological molecules are very soft and delicate, which could be easily deformed and dama…     

原子力显微镜在多糖结构研究中的进展

简述了原子力显微镜(AFM)的工作原理和特点,以及在多糖,特别是在淀粉结构研究中的进展。     

OTS自组装单分子膜形成过程的AFM研究

研究表明,十八烷基三氯硅烷（octadecyltrichlorosilane,OTS）分子能够在羟基固体基（hydroxylicsubstrate）表面上通过自组装方式形成单分子膜’‘’．这一现象一经发现,便因其在众多研究领域中具有重要的应用价值而得到广泛的关注．但是迄今为止,对OTS在羟基因体基表面上形成自组装单分子膜的反应机理仍不十分清楚,文献中存在许多不同的观点．近年来,原子力显微镜（AtomicForceMicroscope,AFM）技术“‘在众多研究领域中获得了广泛的应用．运用AFM不仅可以获得样品表面纳米级三维结构信息,而且随着实验技术的不断进步,AF…     

嵌段共聚物胶束薄膜空穴化结构形成的研究

用原子力显微镜研究了嵌段共聚物胶束薄膜的空穴化结构.结果表明,嵌段共聚物胶束薄膜的空穴化强烈地依赖于所用酸中氢离子的数目,只有使用一元酸时才能得到空穴化结构,而二元酸和三元酸都得不到空穴化结构.提出了形成空穴化结构可能的机理.运用选择性溶剂蒸气和一元酸分别处理胶束薄膜,得到了相同的表面形貌.     

Melting behavior of lamellae of isotactic polypropylene studied using hot-stage atomic force microscopy

The α- and β-form lamellae of isotactic polypropylene were developed at different temperatures. The melting behaviors of the lamellae were observed in real time at elevated temperatures using a hot-stage atomic force microscopy. The melting behavior of the α-form lamellae was determined by the lamellar defects. For the α-form lamellae developed at different undercoolings, the larger the undercoolings, the relatively higher amount of defect in the lamellae was observed. The lamellae with defects were melted into lamellar segments, and recrystallization took place during the heating process. The β-form lamellae had lower thermal stability, and they melted firstly and separately from that of α-form.     

Single polymer molecules adsorbed to mica and the oppositely charged polymer/surfactant complexes formed at the air–water interface visualized by atomic force microscopy

In the present study, the structure and morphology of single sodium poly(styrenesulfonate) (PSS) molecules adsorbed to mica surface from the natural aqueous solution is investigated using atomic force microscopy technique. Results show that single PSS molecules are observed which show a morphology of wormlike coils. Meanwhile, single sodium poly(styrenesulfonate) (PSS)/Hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) complexes deposited on mica from the air–water interface are also observed. However, the PSS/CTA⁺ complexes show different conformations by appearing in the morphology of circular patches. Experimental data are in fair agreement with the theoretical analysis.     

DOPC,DOPE和神经酰胺对鞘磷脂/胆固醇双层膜结构的影响

用LB技术和原子力显微镜(AFM)研究了1,2-二油酸甘油-3-磷脂酰胆碱(DOPC)、1,2-二油酸甘油-3-磷脂酰乙醇胺(DOPE)和神经酰胺(Ceramide)对鞘磷脂(SM)/胆固醇(Chol)结构的影响. 实验结果表明, 在表面压力较低时, 每种混合脂双层膜都呈现均匀分布的脂双层结构. 随着表面压力的增加, 形态发生了明显的变化: (1) SM/Chol二元组分双层膜形成均一的液态有序相微区结构, 衬底覆盖率达到80%; (2) DOPC的加入促使SM/Chol双层膜出现相分离现象, SM/Chol形成的液态有序相 “岛状” 微区结构漂浮在液态无序相的DOPC上部, 约占总面积的30%; (3) DOPE与SM/Chol形成的双层膜明显不同于DOPC/SM/Chol, 呈现出液态无序相、液态有序相及凝胶相3相共存的结构; (4) Ceramide诱导了SM/Chol双层膜结构发生重排, 两层脂分子间发生翻转形成囊泡结构, 部分神经酰胺从液态有序相中分离形成小颗粒结构. 在较高膜压下, 各系统都呈现出具有特定形态的双层膜结构. 分子官能团的成键能力决定了双层膜形态结构.     

蘸礁笔纳米平板印刷术(DPN)在蛋白质芯片中的应用

生物芯片技术以及其临床应用的快速发展,将驱动其研究平台的微型化,以达到更高的阵列排列密度、灵敏度和减少样品消耗;为了满足以上要求,阵列元素的尺寸必须由目前的微米尺度缩小到纳米尺度。蘸礁笔纳米平板印刷术(DPN,Dip-Pen Nanolithography),采取类似于“书写”的方式,能够直接在合适的基板表面制作各种的纳米尺度的蛋白阵列。DPN技术具有操作简单、材料选择灵活、分辨率高、能够精确控制被阵列分子的位置等优点,是在纳米尺度上制作生物分子的阵列首选。本文介绍了蘸礁笔纳米平板印刷术在蛋白质芯片中的应用。     

Investigation of Adsorption of Xanthan Gum on Enamel by Tapping Mode Atomic Force Microscopy

By using tapping mode atomic force microscopy (TMAFM), a polymer layer was found on the enamel surface after the exposure to xanthan gum solutions. The layer thickness is closely related to the exposure time and the concentration of xanthan gum solution. The thickness data were evaluated by a Kruskal-Wallis test and Box-Whisker Plot at a 95% confidence level (p＜0. 05), and a statistically significant difference among the thickness data groups was demonstrated. After the exposure to 1000, 400, 100 mg/L xanthan gum solutions, the mean of layer thickness at the adsorption equilibrium is in the ranges of 103.5--122.06,82.4--88.94 and 45. 27--55.55 nm, respectively. This phenomenon suggests that the viscosity modifying a-gents in the beverage might be adsorbed on the enamel surface during consumption, which may form a barrier that can protect the enamel from being attacked by acid and therefore reduce dental erosion.     

用原子力显微镜研究甲基丙烯酸缩水甘油酯在高密度聚乙烯表面的紫外接枝

利用AFM研究了紫外光引发甲基丙烯酸缩水甘油酯(GMA)在高密度聚乙烯(HDPE)表面接枝初期生成的接枝物的微结构, 对HDPE表面接枝反应的引发速率进行了初步研究. 紫外照射30 s后在HDPE表面形成一些接枝物微粒, 随着照射时间的增加, 微粒越来越多, 其体积也越来越大. 分析结果表明, 每一个接枝物微粒即为一个高度枝化甚至超级枝化的接枝聚合物链. 在30~45 s之间, 接枝密度随照射时间延长几乎呈线性增长; 在45 s后, 接枝密度的增长速度减慢. 在30~45 s之间的引发速度约为6.5 Unit/(μm2·s).     

Chemical force microscopy: applications in surface characterisation of natural hydroxyapatite

Detailed mapping of surface chemistry with nanometer resolution has application throughout the physical and life sciences. The atomic force microscope (AFM) has provided a tool that, when using functionalised probes, is capable of providing chemical information with this level of spatial resolution. Here, we describe the technique of chemical force microscopy (CFM) and demonstrate the sensitivity of the technique using chemical force titrations against pH. We describe in detail the specific application of mapping the surface charge on natural hydroxyapatite from skeletal tissue and show that this new information leads to a better understanding of the binding of matrix proteins to the mineral surface.     

Temperature dependent nano indentation of thin polymer films with the scanning force microscope

The scanning force microscope (SFM) was used to investigate the temperature dependent micro mechanical properties of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) films with a thickness of 35 nm in the range of the radius of gyration. Force-distance curves were performed in the glass transition range to create permanent nanometric indentations with maximal forces up to 4 μN. Quantitative measurements of the indentation depth during and after application of the force, hysteresis energy and slope of the loading part are carried out as function of sample temperature and applied force. The glass transition of the polymer film can be clearly identified by the change of the mechanical properties of the polymer. Surprisingly, only a small change of elasticity at the glass transition is observed.     

The Effect of Substrate on the Annealing of Poly(butylene succinate) Single Crystals

The morphological evolution of poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) solution‐grown single crystals during annealing was studied using hot‐stage atomic force microscopy. Their morphology changed with increasing temperature and annealing time. The annealing behavior and melting temperature were found to be affected by the substrate. Morphological changes occurred at a much lower temperature on an amorphous carbon film than that on a mica surface. Moreover, the pattern of morphological evolution of the single crystals on a carbon film was different from that on a mica surface. Since the PBS melt had a larger contact angle on the mica surface, these differences in the melting behavior were ascribed to the different interfacial interactions between the chain‐folded surface of the single crystal and the substrate.

     

Elasticity of Single Poly(amido amine) Dendrimers

An atomic force microscope in the compression mode was used to probe the nanomechanical response of single dendrimeric molecules, as well as dendrimer aggregates adsorbed on silicon surface. The force‐compression behaviour of individual, generation 5 poly(amido amine) (PAMAM) dendrimers was described by a Hertzian model for the deformation of elastic bodies. The modulus values obtained ranged between 700 MPa (single dendrimers) and 150 MPa (dendrimer aggregates).

     

Melt mixing of polycarbonate with multiwalled carbon nanotubes: microscopic studies on the state of dispersion

The focus of the paper is to investigate several issues related to the state of dispersion of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) in a polycarbonate (PC) matrix. A masterbatch of PC-MWNT (15 wt.%) was diluted with different amounts of PC in a small scale conical twin screw extruder (DACA Micro Compounder) to obtain different compositions of MWNT. In this system, electrical measurements indicated percolation of MWNT between 1.0 and 1.5 wt.%. We report TEM and AFM investigations of the state of dispersion of MWNT, in the entire volume of the matrix, in selected composites with compositions below (1 wt.% MWNT) and above the percolation threshold (2 and 5 wt.% MWNT). In addition, it was investigated if surface segregation of MWNT and flow induced orientation of nanotubes within the extruded strands had been occurred. It is found that the nanotubes dispersed uniformly through the matrix showing no significant agglomeration in the compositions studied. TEM micrographs seem to be able to detect the percolated structure of the carbon nanotubes. Furthermore, by comparing AFM micrographs from the core region and near to surface region no evidence of segregation or depletion of MWNT at the surface of the extruded strand was found. Comparison of TEM and AFM micrographs on surfaces cut along and perpendicular to the strand direction led to the conclusion that no preferred alignment had occurred as a result of extrusion. Aside from TEM technique, AFM is shown to be suitable to characterize the state of nanotube dispersion along with the issue of surface segregation and orientation of the nanotubes.     

Understanding the Rhodopsin Worldview Through Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM): Structure,Stability, and Activity Studies

Rhodopsin is a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) present in the rod outer segment (ROS) of photoreceptor cells that initiates the phototransduction cascade required for scotopic vision. Due to the remarkable advancements in technological tools, the chemistry of rhodopsin has begun to unravel especially over the past few decades, but mostly at the ensemble scale. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a tool capable of providing critical information from a single-molecule point of view. In this regard, to bolster our understanding of rhodopsin at the nanoscale level, AFM-based imaging, force spectroscopy, and nano-indentation techniques were employed on ROS disc membranes containing rhodopsin, isolated from vertebrate species both in normal and diseased states. These AFM studies on samples from native retinal tissue have provided fundamental insights into the structure and function of rhodopsin under normal and dysfunctional states. We review here the findings from these AFM studies that provide important insights on the supramolecular organization of rhodopsin within the membrane and factors that contribute to this organization, the molecular interactions stabilizing the structure of the receptor and factors that can modify those interactions, and the mechanism underlying constitutive activity in the receptor that can cause disease.     

X7R型MLCC流延瓷膜显微结构的AFM研究

片式电容是由电介质陶瓷薄膜和内电极相互重叠而成的多层独石结构,又称多层陶瓷电容器(mul-tilayer ceram ic capacitors,简称MLCC)。具有体积小、内部电感低、绝缘电阻高及漏电流小、介质损耗低、价廉等优点,被广泛应用于各种电子整机中的振荡、耦合、滤波和旁路电路,尤其是高     

Modification of Surface Forces by Metal Ion Adsorption

Abstract

Sorption of ions may lead to variations in interparticle forces and, thus, changes in the stability of colloidal particles. Chemical interactions between metal ions and colloidal particles modify the molecular structure of the surface, the surface charge, and the electrical potential between colloidal particles. These modifications to the surface and to the electrical double layer due to metal ion sorption are reflected in the interaction force between a particle and another surface, which is measured in this study by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Specifically, AFM is used to investigate the sorption of copper ions from aqueous solutions by silica particles. The influence of metal ion concentration and solution ionic strength on surface forces is studied under transient conditions. Results show that as the metal ion concentration is decreased, charge reversal occurs and a longer period of time is required for the system to reach equilibrium. The ionic strength has no significant effect on sorption kinetics. Furthermore, neither metal concentration nor ionic strength exhibits any effect on sorption equilibria, indicating that for the experimental conditions used in this study, the surface sites of the silica particle are fully occupied by copper ions.     

Towards chemical analysis of nanostructures in biofilms I: imaging of biological nanostructures

Due to their direct influence on the stability of bacterial biofilms, a better insight into the nanoscopic spatial arrangement of the different extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), e.g., polysaccharides and proteins, is important for the improvement of biocides and for process optimization in wastewater treatment and biofiltration. Here, the first application of a combination of confocal laser-scanning microscopy (CLSM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) to the investigation of river-water biofilms and related biopolymers is presented. AFM images collected at selected areas of CLS micrographs dramatically demonstrate the heterogeneity of biofilms at the nanometer scale and the need for a chemical imaging method with nanoscale resolution. The nanostructures (e.g., pili, flagella, hydrocolloids, and EPS) found in the extracellular matrix are classified according to shape and size, which is typically 50–150 nm in width and 1–10 nm in thickness, and sets the demands regarding spatial resolution of a potential chemical imaging method. Additionally, thin layers of the polysaccharide alginate were investigated. We demonstrate that calcium alginate is a good model for the EPS architecture at the nanometer scale, because of its similar network-like structure. Figure CLSM-AFM allows imaging of nanometer-sized extracellular structures     

Swift heavy ion induced modification in dielectric and microhardness properties of polymer composites

Polymer composites with different concentrations of organometallics (ferric oxalate) dispersed PMMA were prepared. PMMA was synthesized by solution polymerization technique. These films were irradiated with 120 MeV Ni¹⁰⁺ ions in the fluence range 10¹¹-5 × 10¹² ions/cm². The radiation induced modifications in dielectric properties, microhardness, structural changes and surface morphology of polymer composite films have been investigated at different concentrations of filler and ion-fluences. It was observed that electrical conductivity and hardness of the films increase with the concentration of the filler and also with the fluence. The dielectric constant (?) obeys the Universal law given by ?αfⁿ⁻¹. The dielectric constant/loss is observed to change significantly due to irradiation. This suggests that ion beam irradiation promotes the metal to polymer bonding and convert polymeric structure into hydrogen depleted carbon network. This makes the composites more conductive and harder. Surface morphology of the films has been studied using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The average surface roughness is observed to increase after irradiation as revealed by AFM studies. The SEM images show the blisters type of phenomenon on the surface due to ion beam irradiation.