Scanning electric potential microscopy imaging of polymer latex films:detection of supramolecular domains with nonuniform electrical characteristics

摘要

Scanning electric potential microscopy(SEPM) together wit hnoncontact AFM images were obtained from thesurfaces of two latex films:the first is a self-arrayed poly(styrene-co-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) macrocrystal,while the othe ris a thin film formed by coagulation of polystyrene particles at the latex liquid surface,under exposure to chloroform vapor.In obth cases,large electric potential differences are detected by the microscope probe between adjacent domains in the films.Domains with positive or negativ e potentials reach a few hundred nanometers in size.These dielectric films are thus mosaics of electrically charged domains,and their electroneutrality is only observed at the macroscopic level.