Implementation of recycling routes for scanning probe microscopy tips.
In this work, effective, yet simple, recycling mechanisms for used scanning probe microscopy (SPM) tips were implemented. Comprising a tip profile characterization methodology and specific cleaning procedures, which decontaminate SPM tips whether the contamination nature is known or not, such routes were optimized during numerous tests with brand new, previously used, and already discarded categories of SPM tips. The results show that if the used tip suffered contamination only, but no physical damages, during its scanning lifetime, it becomes readily available for reutilization after the cleansing process, characterizing a recycling route. On the other hand, if the tip went through wear and breakages during its utilization, it still can be decontaminated, but may not be directly reutilized due to its inadequate physical profile. Nevertheless, the methodology developed in this work may yet be applied as part of a more complex recycling route.
De Souza
Carolina Pereira
CP
Laboratório de Nanoscopia, Dept. de Física, ICEx, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, CEP: 30123-970, Brazil.
Andrade
Margareth Spangler
MS
Neves
Bernardo Ruegger Almeida
BR
D004867:Equipment Design; D017743:Equipment Reuse; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*