ABSTRACT
Since its invention twenty years ago the atomic force microscope (AFM) has become one of the most important tools in colloid and interface science. The reason for this impact is that the AFM allows doing experiments on length, time, force, and energy scales, which are not accessible by any other technique. These experiments can be carried out under natural conditions, for example in liquid environments. In this paper we specify the length and time scales involved, give examples where by using the AFM relevant questions in colloid and interface science have been solved, and we discuss future perspectives.
ABSTRACT
We study how a local air plasma treatment affects the mechanical properties of polystyrene by performing indentation measurements on the polymer in the elastic and plastic regime. The local exposure to plasma was obtained by placing a shadow-mask with quadratic holes of 45 x 45 microm(2) on top of the polymer substrate, providing uncovered (exposed to the plasma) and covered (protected from the plasma) areas. We have analyzed quantitatively the topography and the elastic-plastic properties of such a sample with atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements, both before and after plasma treatment. To enhance the differences between covered and uncovered areas, the sample has been exposed to solvent vapor. This generates regions which are differently swollen. The quantitative investigation of the mechanical properties of the swollen sample for different solvent exposure times gives further insight into the changes of polystyrene mechanical properties caused by the plasma.
