I am trying to get images of nano-dot using AFM. But I have not got any images having individual nano-dot. Is it possible to get nano-dot images through AFM scanning? I am using Ntegra Prima (NT-MDT) instrument with 1 um scanner both in contact and semi contact mode. Although I got the AFM images of cluster formation of these nano-dots.
what is the size of your nano-dot? More detail of the nano-dot is necessary for giving help. Any other methods have you tried to test(Such as SEM)?
Size of the nano dots are around 3-7 nm. These nano dots are mixed with polymers in bulk (liquid) and this mixed polymer-nano composites are spread on glass to form a 2D matrix of the polymer-nano composites . Then we took the AFM imaging of these films. @ Shengli Zheng
Hello Touaiti,
I am very much grateful for your valuable advice. I have added a details of the sample above your answer. Can it be possible to detect the nano-dots in the polymer matrix? Because the nano dots are randomly distributed within the matrix. So we don't know the amount of nano dots present in the sample surface. (N.B.- Samples are not prepared by me. Those are of one of my colleague research scholar)
Dear Song Guo,
Thank you so much for your valuable comment on my question. Your point is absolutely right. It is impossible to see the nano-dots while they are embedded inside the polymer matrix. Also I am using AFM probes having 10 nm radius of curvature. Hence, we have not be able to see the nano-dots (d~ 3-7 nm) in the AFM images.
Thanks to all of you for giving such wonderful answers and comments to my question. Hope we will meet again in here.
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