Abstract
The interaction of a liquid with a surface is of fundamental importance to many areas of scientific research. Information on the properties of liquids at surfaces at the microscopic scale is also required to elucidate the mechanisms behind macroscopic observations. In this study, the atomic force microscope (AFM) was employed in various complementary modes of operation to investigate the properties of nanometer-scale oil droplets existing on a polystyrene surface. Force curve mapping was used to gently probe the surface of the fluid droplets, and through automated analysis of the force curves the true topography and microscopic contact angle of the droplets were extracted. The contact angle was found to be 13 ± 2°, which is in excellent agreement with values obtained from macroscopic measurements. A discrepancy between these values and contact angle values obtained from tapping mode images were attributed to deformation of the soft interface. The resultant phase contrast mechanisms in the liquid tapping m...
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