T. Prohaska et al., IN-SITU INVESTIGATION OF SURFACE-REACTIONS ON ALKALI-HALIDES BY ATOMIC-FORCE MICROSCOPY, Fresenius' journal of analytical chemistry, 349(1-3), 1994, pp. 190-194
In-situ AFM images have been produced of dissolution processes on NaCl
and KBr single crystals under different organic solvents. Using a hom
e-built sample holder stable imaging conditions have been achieved and
atomic resolution could be obtained on both materials. Dissolution ra
tes have been determined quantitatively from the AFM images and compar
ed with empirical solvent parameters such as acceptor number AN and E(
T)(30) value. The AFM results are in agreement with the expected behav
iour of the liquids. Dissolution rates could be controlled using mixtu
res of polar and non polar solvents. The results are a basis for furth
er investigations of other systems and technologically important proce
sses such as corrosion and surface modification.