Observation and Manipulation of Polymers by Scanning Tunneling and Atomic Force Microscopy

Abstract

The properties of monolayer films of organic materials are important for a variety of technologies. We have employed the STM and AFM to study Langmuir-Blodgett films of a variety of polymers on substrates of graphite, molybdenum sulfate, and gold (111) on mica. The polymers were poly(octadecyl acrylate) (PODA), atactic and syndiotactic poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(2-methyl 1-pentene sulfone) (PMPS). One striking feature was the degree of order observed; a second was the morphological difference between films of submonolayer thickness (long thin fibrils) and those of at least monolayer thickness (lumpy structures arranged in domains). By pulsing the STM bias voltage to values in excess of 4 V, we were able to bring about local modification of the polymer morphology.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 13, 1988
Accession Number
ADA198255

Entities

People

  • C. A. Lang
  • M. M. Dovek
  • R. Emch
  • S. W. Kuan
  • T. R. Albrecht

Organizations

  • Stanford University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Alkenes
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Crystal Structure
  • Electrons
  • Engineering
  • Films
  • Lithography
  • Materials Science
  • Microscopes
  • Microscopy
  • Military Research
  • Monomolecular Films
  • Organic Materials
  • Symbols
  • Two Dimensional

Fields of Study

  • Chemistry

Readers

  • Polymer Science and Technology
  • Thin Film Deposition Science.