Abstract
Analysis of metal oxide surfaces in liquid would further develop the understanding of their useful surface properties such as photocatalysis and biocompatibility. In this presentation, noncontact atomic force microscope (NC-AFM) studies of titanium dioxide surfaces and silicon dioxide surfaces in water are introduced. The NC-AFM employs a cantilever with a tip at its one end as a probe and detects interaction force between the tip and the sample as a change in the resonant frequency of the cantilever. The tip does not touch the sample surface. Hence, nanostructures on the sample surface are analyzed without being perturbed by the tip. It is shown that the NC-AFM is a beneficial tool for nanoscale analysis of oxide-liquid interfaces.
