Optimizing atomic force microscopy for characterization of diamond-protein interfaces

0375015 - FZÚ 2012 RIV US eng J - Journal Article
Rezek, Bohuslav - Ukraintsev, Egor - Kromka, Alexander
Optimizing atomic force microscopy for characterization of diamond-protein interfaces.
Nanoscale Research Letters. Roč. 6, Apr. (2011), 337/1-337/10. ISSN 1931-7573. E-ISSN 1556-276X
R&D Projects: GA MŠMT(CZ) LC06040; GA ČR(CZ) GAP108/11/0794; GA AV ČR KAN400100701; GA MŠMT LC510
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z10100521
Keywords : atomic force microscopy (AFM) * nanocrystalline diamond * oxygen-terminated diamond * hydrogen-terminated diamond * proteins * fetal bovine serum (FBS)
Subject RIV: BM - Solid Matter Physics ; Magnetism
Impact factor: 2.726, year: 2011

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) in contact mode and tapping mode is employed for high resolution studies of soft organic molecules (fetal bovine serum proteins) on hard inorganic diamond substrates in solution and air. Various effects in morphology and phase measurements related to the cantilever spring constant, amplitude of tip oscillations, surface approach, tip shape and condition are demonstrated and discussed based on the proposed schematic models. We show that both diamond and proteins can be mechanically modified by Si AFM cantilever. We propose how to choose suitable cantilever type, optimize scanning parameters, recognize and minimize various artifacts, and obtain reliable AFM data both in solution and in air to reveal microscopic characteristics of protein-diamond interfaces. We also suggest that monocrystalline diamond is well defined substrate that can be applicable for fundamental studies of molecules on surfaces in general.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0207792