Distinguishing Nanobubbles from Nanodroplets with AFM: The Influence of Vertical and Lateral Imaging Forces.
The widespread application of surface-attached nanobubbles and nanodroplets in biomedical engineering and nanotechnology is limited by numerous experimental challenges, in particular, the possibility of contamination in nucleation experiments. These challenges are complicated by recent reports that it can be difficult to distinguish between nanoscale drops and bubbles. Here we identify clear differences in the mechanical responses of nanobubbles and nanodroplets under various modes of AFM imaging that subject the objects to predominantly vertical or lateral forces. This allows us to distinguish among nanodroplets, nanobubbles, and oil-covered nanobubbles in water.
Cavitation Laboratory, Division of Physics and Applied Physics, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University , Singapore.
Hongjie
H
An
Cavitation Laboratory, Division of Physics and Applied Physics, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University , Singapore.
Beng Hau
BH
Tan
Cavitation Laboratory, Division of Physics and Applied Physics, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University , Singapore.
Claus-Dieter
CD
Ohl