Atomic Force Microscopy Imaging of Thin Films Formed by Hydrophobing Reagents

doi:10.1006/jcis.1994.1246

Journal of Colloid and Interface Science

Volume 165, Issue 2, July 1994, Pages 425-430

https://doi.org/10.1006/jcis.1994.1246 Get rights and content

Abstract

The hydrophobic films produced on silica plates by a common silylating reagent, trimethylchlorosilane, at the solid/liquid and solid/gas interfaces have been imaged directly using an atomic force microscope. The results obtained here support previous findings that such reactants produce relatively thick inhomogeneous films. For the first time we are able to present direct images of the spatial inhomogeneity of such films. The thin film produced by esterification of the silica plates with 1-dodecanol has also been imaged. In this case, a good, post-reaction, cleanup procedure was determined to be vital in obtaining a uniform thin hydrophobic film. Comparison with a previous ellipsometric study from this laboratory shows broad agreement on the observed film thicknesses and homogeneities for all samples.

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Citation Excerpt :
These cells have replaceable glass round surfaces that are fitted to the bottom of them. Prior to a measurement the glass rounds were made hydrophobic by boiling them in n-propanol for 4 h [36]. Similar to previous measurements, bubbles were generated ultrasonically [37,38] but the procedure differed slightly in that the bubbles were then made in the solutions of NaPSS instead of pure water.
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Regular ArticleAtomic Force Microscopy Imaging of Thin Films Formed by Hydrophobing Reagents

Abstract

Regular Article
Atomic Force Microscopy Imaging of Thin Films Formed by Hydrophobing Reagents