Non-destructive imaging of delicate polymer surfaces using scanning force microscopy tips modified with hydrophobic self-assembled monolayers

Contact mode imaging of plasma-treated poly(ethylene terephthalate) films u sing bare silicon nitride tips yields poor image resolution because of tip- induced disruption of the surface structure. Deposition of a hydrophobic se lf-assembled monolayer onto the tip enables the minimisation of the interfa cial free energy of the tip-sample contact, with such good effect that imag es are obtained in contact mode with comparable resolution to that observed in tapping mode. Control of tip chemistry therefore presents an important strategy for the imaging of delicate polymer structures by scanning force m icroscopy. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.