EFFECT OF WATER ON LATERAL FORCE MICROSCOPY IN AIR

Lateral force microscopy (LFM) images on polymeric and inorganic subst rates demonstrate how water is transported to and from a substrate by the capillary formed by the LFM tip and sample. Although it is known t hat water qualitatively affects the atomic force microscopy and LFM me asurements, herein we report the condition dependent range of sizes of the water menisci formed in the capillary during such measurements. T he effect of water in air can change the force of friction by a factor greater than or equal to 2, with the magnitude of this effect depende nt on the chemical nature of the sample and tip dynamics. These result s have important implications for any analytical measurement-of fricti on by LFM in air.