Abstract
High aspect ratio carbon nanotubes are ideal candidates to improve the resolution and lifetime of atomic force microscopy (AFM) probes. Here, we present simple methods for the preparation of carbon nanotube modified AFM probes utilising solvent evaporation or dielectrophoresis. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the modified probes shows that the carbon nanotubes attach to the probe apex as fibres and display a high aspect ratio. Many of the probes made in this manner were initially found to exhibit anomalous feedback characteristics during scanning, which rendered them unsuitable for imaging. However, we further developed and demonstrated a simple method to stabilise the carbon nanotube fibres by scanning with high force in tapping mode, which either shortens or straightens the carbon fibre, resulting in stable and high quality imaging AFM imaging.
Highlights
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been recognised as the ultimate probe for use in many atomic force microscope (AFM) applications, due to their small diameter, high aspect ratio and wear resistance
In this work we present simple methods for the preparation of carbon nanotube modified AFM probes utilising solvent-based deposition which can be divided into dielectrophoresis and solvent evaporation approaches
DEP assembly has been used by several groups to attach CNTs onto sharpened tungsten tips, as the application of a heterogeneous alternating current between two electrodes immersed in a CNT solution results in the growth of a long CNT fibre [20,21]
Summary
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been recognised as the ultimate probe for use in many atomic force microscope (AFM) applications, due to their small diameter, high aspect ratio and wear resistance. These features of CNT probes mean that they can substantially improve the quality of data produced by AFMs such as spatial resolution, force resolution (in force spectroscopy) and for metrology applications where the high aspect ratio nature of CNT probes is advantageous [1,2]. Researchers are still seeking cheap and reliable methods to prepare CNT modified probes in-house. Reviews by Wilson et al [1] and Slattery et al [2] provide excellent overviews of the many fabrication methods and applications of CNT probes
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