Direct observation of polyelectrolyte brushes under wet and dry conditions by atmospheric scanning electron microscopy

Takeshi Higuchi, Yuji Konyuba, Hidetoshi Nishiyama, Mitsuo Suga, Atsushi Takahara, Hiroshi Jinnai

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Polyelectrolyte brushes are polyelectrolyte polymers with one end fixed to a substrate. In this study, direct nano-scale visualization of polyelectrolyte brushes was carried out under 'aqueous conditions' by atmospheric scanning electron microscopy. The thickness of the polyelectrolyte brush layer was measured under both dry and aqueous conditions, experimentally confirming the swollen state of the brushes. These experimental findings qualitatively agreed with the results from previous neutron reflectivity experiments using similar polyelectrolyte brushes. Such direct visualization of polymer brushes in real space opens up a new route for better understanding their surface properties, such as friction, adhesion and wettability.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)139-144
Number of pages6
JournalMicroscopy
Volume65
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2016

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Structural Biology
  • Instrumentation
  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Direct observation of polyelectrolyte brushes under wet and dry conditions by atmospheric scanning electron microscopy'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this