It depends on the information you are wanting to obtain. In my case I prefer AFM because you can get not only the morphological information that you obtain with SEM for example

AFM (SPM) for nanomechanical measu' (nanoindentation)

Thanks for your consideration

The AFM is a precursor method for micro-mechanical analysis, measuring the roughness and also capturing the map of surface topography, but I'm not sure it is suitable to characterize surface of coated paper.

FESEM gives you very good results for in situ cases when the nano-structures has coated the surface. AFM is proper one to evaluate only the nano-structures without substrate (paper). We have earlier used both techniques in nano-coated wood in the same way as I said above.

Regards

B. Mohebby

Dear Behbood

greeting

Thanks for your answer. We would like to know the distribution of nano metals on the surface of nano-modified coated printed paper. So, What's your idea about the using of SEM-EDX? I didn't find any related references, especially on the paper substrate.

Thanks again for your time and consideration

Regards

M. Soltani

SEM_EDX   gives you useful information too. You should only let EDX system to measure (count) the nano-particles. FESEM  provides such information, similarly.

Good luck

Dear Dr. Behbood

Thanks a lot for your valuable comments.

Best Regatds

Using AFM to measure everything :) Take look on the file - this is nano wire paper. Open it with Gwyddion or WSXM