title: AFM observation of cation complexation of dibenzocrown ethers adsorbed on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite.
abstract: The cation complexation behavior of dibenzocrown ethers adsorbed on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite substrates was investigated by means of atomic force microscopy using probe tips modified chemically with ammonium ion by silane coupling. The specific adhesion force based on the intermolecular force between dibenzocrown ether and ammonium ion was observed via force curve measurements in ethanol at the interface between the substrate and tip. The observed specific force decreased in the presence of the alkali metal ion in solution, indicating that the cation in solution interferes with the complexation of the crown ethers adsorbed on the substrate with the ammonium ion immobilized on the tip. The blocking effect of metal ions in solution on the observed force depended on the sizes of both the blocking cation and crown ether ring, suggesting that the surface-adsorbed dibenzocrown ethers possess a selective cation-complexing ability similar to that in their bulk state and that the adhesion force measurements using cation-modified tips allow evaluation of the cation-complexing ability of crown ethers under cation-competitive conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Systems Engineering, Wakayama University, Sakae-dani, Wakayama 640-8510, Japan.
authors.forename: Shinpei
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kado
authors.forename: Kaname
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.forename: Keiichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kimura