Description:

Atomic Force Microscopy has been utilised to characterise a block co-polymer film, confirming the presence and size-range of phase-separated homo-polymer domains. The top height-contrast image (1 x 1 micron arera) shows the surface topography while the lower phase image clearly reveals the domain distribution. Phase imaging allows chemical surface mapping through sensing local variations in hardness, viscoeleasticity or adhesion. From these images the surface area of each phase can be quantified (Copyright QinetiQ).

Industry Sectors:
Packaging, Nanomaterials

Techniques:
Atomic Force Microscopy

Keywords:
polymer, thin film