Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1016/j.ultramic.2020.112945
Title (Primary) A new approach for repeated tip-sample relocation for AFM imaging of nano and micro sized particles and cells in liquid environment
Author Abu Quba, A.A.; Schaumann, G.E.; Karagulyan, M.; Diehl, D.
Source Titel Ultramicroscopy
Year 2020
Department UBT
Volume 211
Page From art. 112945
Language englisch
Keywords Atomic force microscopyRelocationChemically functionalized tipMineralBacteriaLiquid environment
Abstract The ability to repeatedly find exact the same nano region-of-interest (nROI) is essential for atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies of heterogeneous environmental samples. The large variety of methods makes it difficult to find the most suitable one for a specific research question. We thus conducted a literature research for nROI relocation methods and organized the found references in order to give an overview over relocation methods including the advantages, limitations and documented applications. This survey of nROI relocation methods and their key information facilitates the selection of appropriate methods with respect to a specific research question. Based on this survey, we developed a new AFM relocation approach urgently needed for the study of nano and micro sized particles and cells in air and aqueous environment. This approach uses commercially available TEM grids fully embedded in a semitransparent resin as a glue body on top of which particles and cells are fixed. Relocation of nROI within one grid is based on easily recognizable sample features in micro and nanometer scale. The stable sticking of the studied mineral particles and bacterial cells allows repeated measurements of the same nROI with differently functionalized tips in air as well as in water. Our simple, fast, and cost-effective method allows relocation with an accuracy of 10–40 nm and enables the implementation of AFM/ESEM correlative microscopy.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=22756
Abu Quba, A.A., Schaumann, G.E., Karagulyan, M., Diehl, D. (2020):
A new approach for repeated tip-sample relocation for AFM imaging of nano and micro sized particles and cells in liquid environment
Ultramicroscopy 211 , art. 112945