Abstract
Results of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) studies on cold-extruded polyethylene (PE) are presented. AFM images from the range 700×700 nm down to the atomic scale were obtained on a flat surface, which was prepared by cutting a rod-like sample along the extrusion direction. Large scale AFM micrographs of PE reveal the fibrillar morphology of the uniaxially oriented material. Microfibrils with diameters in the range 20–90 nm are aligned parallel to the extrusion direction. In the smaller scale images the oriented patterns were assigned to the individual polymer chains. The surface texture pattern shows chain overlapping as a result of the extrusion process. Parts of extended chains were also found. AFM responses of individual methylene groups have been resolved.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Binnig G, Rohrer H, Gerber Ch, Weibel E (1982) Phys Rev Lett 49:52
Magonov S N, Cantow H-J (1990) in Scanning Tunneling Microscopy and Related Methods' p. 367 Böhm R, Garcia N, Rohrer H (eds) Kluwer Acad Publ Dordrecht
Yang R, Dalsin K M, Evans D F, Christensen L, Hendrikson W A (1989) J Phys Chem 93:511
Kempf S, Rotter H W, Magonov S N, Gronski W, Cantow H-J (1990) Polym Bull 24:325
Magonov S N, Cantow H-J, Donnet J-B (1990) Polym Bull 23:555
Reneker D H, Schneir J, Howell B, Harary H (1990) Polym Commun 31: 167
Travaglini G, Amrein M, Michel B, Gross H (1990) in ‘Scanning Tunneling Microscopy and Related Methods’, p. 335 Böhm R, Garcia N, Rohrer H (eds) Kluwer Acad Publ Dordrecht
Smith D P E, Hörber J K H, Binnig G, Nejoh H (1990) Nature 344: 64
Gould S A C, Drace B, Prater C B, Weisenhorn A I, Manne S, Klederman G L, Butt H-J, Hansma H, Hansma P K, Magnov S, Cantow H-J (1990) Ultramicroscopy 33:93
Gould S, Marti O, Drake B, Hellemans L, Bracker C E, Hansma P K, Keder N L, Eddy M M, Stucky G D (1988) Nature 332:332
Bar G, Magonov S N, Dietrich M, Heinze J, Cantow H-J (1991) Synth Met in press
Patil R, Kim S-J, Smith E, Reneker D, Weisenhorn A C (1990) Polym Comm 31:455
Magonov S N, Bar G, Laukhina E E, Yagubskii E B, Cantow H-J (1991) Synth Met in preparation
Stocker W, Bar G, Kunz M, Möller M, Magonov S N, Cantow H-J (1991) Polym Bull in press
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Magonov, S.N., Qvarnström, K., Elings, V. et al. Atomic force microscopy on polymers and polymer related compounds. Polymer Bulletin 25, 689–694 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01032666
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01032666