Lateral Force Microscopy and Phase Imaging Presentation Slides

Following on from my previous post providing a presentation on atomic force microscopy, a further (very brief) presentation is posted here, based upon the SPM methods of 'lateral force microscopy' and 'phase imaging'. If anyone would like to receive an electronic copy of this (or the previous AFM) presentation in a different format (pdf, powerpoint, etc) please just contact my via my twitter account (@drscottwatson), or email me at drscottmdwatson@gmail.com.

 

Using catalytic AFM probes for nanoscale chemical patterning at surfaces

For those with an interest in scanning probe lithography methods, work has recently been reported in Chemical Science (RSC Publishing) by a researchers from Aix Marseille University into the use of an atomic force microscope equipped with a modified probe, to locally catalyse reactions at a functionalised surface.

Commercial AFM probes were modified with a homogenous catalyst (1,4,7-triazacyclononane manganese complex) and subsequently used to promote epoxidation of an alkene-terminated self-assembled monolayer on silicon, in the presence of H₂O₂ (oxidant), at spatially defined surface regions, i.e. patterned regions, bearing epoxide functionality within a alkene monolayer, are produced.  

Furthermore, the resulting epoxides formed within the monolayer were demonstrated to be able to act as anchoring sites for covalently grafting other molecules to the monolayer surface, here via a ring opening reaction of the epoxide with N-octylpiperazine. This strategy opens up the possibility for the attaching a variety of molecules (e.g. peptides, proteins/enzymes) at spatially defined regions upon a surface.



Source: Chemical Science | Chemistry World | RSC Publishing

The authors anticipate that the principles behind this AFM chemical lithography method can be extended to numerous other metal-catalysed reactions, meaning the technique could offer a viable route for carrying out a host of different organic reactions locally on a surface for the creation complex two-dimensional chemical patterns.

http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/2013/06/nanoscale-surface-design-homogeneous-catalysis-epoxidation

For those with a subscription to Chemical Science (RSC Publishing), the publication can be found at:
http://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/ArticleLanding/2013/SC/c3sc50979f

Scanning Probe Microscopy Tutorials

Two useful presentations about the principles of Scanning Tunnelling Microscopy (STM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) from the 'Nanotechnology Applications and Careers Knowledge (NACK) Network', of The Pennsylvania State University.

                      

                       

Researchers in Berkeley, California, use AFM to monitor a chemical reaction

Researchers at UC-Berkeley have used some of the latest advancements in atomic force microscopy (AFM) to visualize the intramolecular structural changes of a single molecule, following a thermally induced cyclisation process. The AFM images of the oligo-(phenylene-1,2-ethynylene) molecule, supported on a Ag(100) substrate, were acquired using an AFM probe modified with a single CO molecule adsorbed at the tip apex. The molecule was subsequently imaged following heating (≥ 90°C) in order to visualize the product structure.

http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/2013/05/afm-reaction-products-reactants

Source: Science/AAAS | UC-Berkley | RSC Chemistry World 

For those with subscriptions to Science, the publication article can be found at:
D G de Oteyza et al, Science, 2013, DOI: 10.1126/science.1238187

Atomic Force Microscopy Presentation Slides

With the use of scanning probe microsopy techniques playing a fundamental role within my research, I've prepared a range of different presentations on the subject matter over the years. These presentations may prove useful to anyone with an interest in SPM techniques, and so I intend to upload some of these to this blog. Feel free to have a look through these presentations and make use of any of the slides and schemes included (which have been prepared by myself).

The first of these presentations uploaded here provides a basic outline to the concepts behind atomic force microscopy (contact mode anf tapping mode), and the principles behind the the operation of an atomic force microscope.

In due course, in will add further presentations and slides relating to other SPM techniques such as 'friction force microscopy', 'electrostatic force microscopy', and 'conductive AFM', amongst others.

  

If anyone would like to recieve an electronic copy of this presentation in a different format (pdf, powerpoint, etc) please just contact my via my twitter account (@drscottwatson), or email me at drscottmdwatson@gmail.com.

Scott

Scott Watson: Publication List

For those interested in reading some of the research publication's I have previouly contributed towards, a summary list detailing these works is provided below:  

A New Route to the Production and Nanoscale Patterning of Highly Smooth, Ultrathin Zirconium Oxide Films

ACS Nano (ACS)

2008

Watson, S. M. D.; Coleman, K. S.; Chakraborty, A. K. "A New Route to the Production and Nanoscale Patterning of Highly Smooth, Ultrathin Zirconium Oxide Films” ACS Nano 2008, 2, 643-650.

http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/nn700138q

  

Preparation, Characterization, and Scanned Conductance Microscopy Studies of DNA-Templated One-Dimensional Copper Nanostructures

Langmuir (ACS)

2010

Watson, S. M. D.; Wright, N. G.; Horrocks, B. R.; Houlton, A. “Preparation, Characterization, and Scanned Conductance Microscopy Studies of DNA-Templated One-Dimensional Copper Nanostructures” Langmuir 2010, 26, 2068-2075.

http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/la902583j

  

Influence of Lipids on the Interfacial Disposition of Respiratory Syncytical Virus Matrix Protein

Langmuir (ACS)

2011

McPhee, H. K.; Carlisle, J. L.; Beeby, A.; Money, V. A.; Watson, S. M.D.; Yeo, R. P.; Sanderson, J. M. "Influence of Lipids on the Interfacial Disposition of Respiratory Syncytical Virus Matrix Protein" Langmuir 2011, 27, 304-311.

http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/la104041n

  

DNA-Based Nanowires. Towards Bottom-Up Nanoscale Electronics

Annual Reports Section A (Inorganic Chemistry) (RSC)

2011

Houlton, A.; Watson, S. M. D. “DNA-Based Nanowires. Towards Bottom-Up Nanoscale Electronics” Annu. Rep. Prog. Chem., Sect. A 2011, 107, 21-42.

http://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlehtml/2011/ic/c1ic90017j

  

Synthesis, Characterization and Electrical Properties of Supramolecular DNA-Templated Polymer Nanowires of 2,5-(Bis-2-thienyl)-pyrrole

Chemistry A European Journal (Wiley)

2012

Watson, S. M. D.; Hedley, J. H.; Galindo, M. A.; Al-Said, S. A. F.; Wright, N. G.; Connolly, B. A.; Horrocks, B. J.; Houlton, A. “Synthesis, Characterization and Electrical Properties of Supramolecular DNA-Templated Polymer Nanowires of 2,5-(Bis-2-thienyl)-pyrrole” Chemistry Eur. J. 2012, 18, 12008-12019.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/chem.201201495/full

Magnetic and Conductive Magnetite Nanowires by DNA-Templating

Nanoscale (RSC)

2012

Mohamed, H. D. A.; Watson, S. M. D.; Horrocks, B. R.; Houlton, A. “Magnetic and Conductive Magnetite Nanowires by DNA-Templating” Nanoscale 2012, 4, 5936-5945.

http://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlehtml/2012/nr/c2nr31559a

  

Equilibrium and Non-Equilibrium Thermodynamics of Templating Reactions for the Formation of Nanowires

Nanotechnology (IOP Publishing)

2012

Watson, S. M. D.; Houlton, A.; Horrocks, B. R. “Equilibrium and Non-Equilibrium Thermodynamics of Templating Reactions for the Formation of Nanowires” Nanotechnology 2012, 23, 505603.

http://iopscience.iop.org/0957-4484/23/50/505603

  

Electrically Conductive Magnetic Nanowires Using an Electrochemical DNA-Templating Route

Nanoscale (RSC)

2013

Watson, S. M. D.; Mohamed, H. D. A.; Horrocks, B. R.; Houlton, A. "Electrically Conductive Magnetic Nanowires Using an Electrochemical DNA-Templating Route" Nanoscale 2013, in press.

http://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlehtml/2013/nr/c3nr00716b

Twitter account

For those interested, I can also be found on twitter via @drscottwatson, if you prefer my opinions and news to be limited to just 140 characters (as many seem to...)

Scott Watson: About Me.

For those who are unfamiliar with myself, I am a post-doctoral research associate who has been working within the Chemical Nanoscience Laboratory at the School of Chemistry, Newcastle University for the past 4 years.
Much of my research at Newcastle has focussed upon the development of methods for the fabrication of DNA-based nanowires, and characterization of their properties.

Prior to my time at Newcastle, I could be found at Durham University, where I completed my Masters degree (2000-2004), followed by my PhD (2004-2008) which focussed upon the development of scanning probe lithography techniques for the creating of chemically patterned surfaces.

During my time in academia I have gained extensive experience in various areas of research, including surface science (self-assembled monolayers, and Langmuir-Blodgett films), microcontact printing, and the synthesis of nanomaterials.
I have also developed extensive expertise in the use of a range of analytical techniques including FTIR, XPS, and in particular scanning probe microscopy (SPM). This has included extensive work with a range of SPM techniques including atomic force microscopy (tapping mode, contact mode), conductive AFM, electrostatic force microscopy, and magnetic force microscopy. I also have experinece in the use of scanning tunnelling microscopy.

My intention for this blog is to provide updates and my latest research, as well as the occasional nostalgic look back at some of my previously published scientific endeavours. I will also also be posting any items which I feel may be of scientific interest to those who choose to follow this blog. (I suspect this will be heavily skewed towards SPM news).

Enjoy.