The atomic force microscopy (AFM) lab in the IPF is equipped with state-of-the-art microscopes that allow for high-resolution imaging and precise measurements of sample topography and functional material properties.

- We are recording detailed topographic images of surfaces with nanoscale resolution and provide
  quantitative and qualitative information on surface structure and local material properties.

- The lab offers instructions and support to students and researchers of the IPF on AFM operation and
  data analysis.

- To a limited extent we offer service measurements for in-house projects.

- High-resolution imaging of surface topography for quantitative structure, roughness and height
  detection

- Mechanical properties such as stiffness, elastic modulus and adhesion using force-distance curves,
  force-distance volumes and fast force mapping via QNM

- Mapping of relative conductivity, magnetization, electrostatic charging and piezoelectric behaviour;
  Quantitative surface potential measurements

- Where possible AFM measurements available in liquids, assorted gases and varying humidity,
  as well as different temperatures

- Measurements done by the following methods:

• Contact mode (CM)
• Tapping mode (TM) with phase imaging
• Peak Force Tapping (PFT) with quantitative nanomechanical analysis (QNM)
• Magnetic force microscopy (MFM)
• Electrostatic force microscopy (EFM)
• Kelvin probe microscopy (KPFM)
• Torsional resonance mode (TR)
• Conductive AFM (C-AFM)
• Piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM)

- AFMs:

• Oxford Instruments, MFP3D
• Bruker Icon
• Bruker Dimension V
• Bruker Fastscan
• Bruker Multimode
• JPK NanoWizard Ultra Speed on inverted optical microscope

We actively collaborate with researchers, scientists and industry experts to explore interesting research topics and contribute to advances in AFM technology in nanoscience and materials research.

• Sun, N.; Singh, S.; Zhang, H.; Hermes, I.; Zhou, Z.; Schlicke, H.; Vaynzof, Y.; Lissel, F.; Fery, A. Gold Nanoparticles with N-Heterocyclic Carbene/Triphenylamine Surface Ligands: Stable and Electrochromically Active Hybrid Materials for Optoelectronics. Advanced Science, 2024, 2400752 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202400752
• Yi, G.; Hoffmann, M.; Seckin, S.; König, T.; Hermes, I.; Rossner, C.; Fery, A. Toward coupling across inorganic/organic hybrid interfaces: polyaniline-coated gold nanoparticles with 4-aminothiophenol as gold-anchoring moieties. Colloid and Polymer Science, 2024, 1-9
  DOI: 10.1007/s00396-024-05262-x
• Firdaus, S.; Boye, S.; Janke, A.; Friedel, P.; Janaszewska, A.; Appelhans, D.; Müller, M.; Klajnert-Maculewicz, B.; Voit, B.; Lederer, A.; Advancing Antiamyloidogenic Activity by Fine-Tuning Macromolecular Topology. Biomacromolecules 2023, 24, 12, 5797–5806
  DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.3c00817
• Androsch, R.; Jariyavidyanont, K.; Janke, A.; Schick, C. Poly (butylene succinate): Low-temperature nucleation and crystallization, complex morphology and absence of lamellar thickening. Polymer 2023, 285, 126311
  DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2023.126311
• Flemming, P.; Janke, A.; Simon, F.; Fery, A.; Münch, A.; Uhlmann, P. Multiresponsive Transitions of PDMAEMA Brushes for Tunable Surface Patterning. Langmuir, 2020, 36, 50, 15283 – 15295
  DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c02711