title: Study of the lignin model compound supramolecular structure by combination of near-field scanning optical microscopy and atomic force microscopy.
abstract: In this paper, we present a nanoscale study of the supramolecular structure of the dehydrogenate polymer (ZL-DHP) lignin model compound. The combination of near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM or SNOM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been utilized to explore physicochemical properties of the lignin model compound on a scale ranging from individual macromolecules to globular supramolecular assemblies. By utilizing NSOM in transmission mode, the optical inhomogeneity in the lignin supramolecular structure has been observed for the first time. In particular, the transmission-mode NSOM images reveal a combination of hollow and layered supramolecular globular structure in the lignin model compound. Through the paired use of TappingMode and pulsed-mode AFM, we have also confirmed the existence of regions with different rheological properties on the single lignin model compound supramolecular assembly.
authors.affiliation: Veeco Instruments Inc., 112 Robin Hill Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93117, USA. mmicic@veeco.com
authors.forename: Miodrag
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Micic
authors.forename: Ksenija
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Radotic
authors.forename: Milorad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jeremic
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Djikanovic
authors.forename: Stefan B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Kämmer
mesh_terms: D000438:Alcohols / Q000737:chemistry; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000378:metabolism*; D008031:Lignin / Q000737:chemistry*; D008853:Microscopy; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force / Q000379:methods*; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*; D036103:Nanotechnology; D010944:Plants / Q000378:metabolism; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000438:Alcohols; D011108:Polymers; D008031:Lignin