What's New in Atomic Force Microscopy of Polymers? An Update

摘要

In the past 20 years the atomic force microscope has evolved into a powerful tool for the nanoscale investigation of polymeric materials and single macromolecules. Applications are widespread, ranging from single molecule imaging, structural studies, and physical property mapping, to mechano-chemistry and unfolding studies of individual macromolecules. Strikingly, the AFM allows unprecedented spatial resolution of <10 nm with single molecule force sensitivity making it a unique instrument for materials and macromolecular studies. Here we briefly review some current progress in the areas of single molecule force spectroscopy, nanomechanical property mapping and thermal atomic force microscopy/lithography in the field of polymer research.