Key words: atomic force microscopy, cantilevers, surface cleaning, supercritical carbon dioxide
A new method for gentle cleaning of cantilevers used in the atomic force microscopy
(AFM) in supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) is suggested. Artificial organic
pollutant (polyethylmetacrilate) can be removed by treatment in SC-CO2 without any
damage of the sample structure and operational characteristics. Using Raman
spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy a complete removal of the pollutant
from the sample surface is proven. After treatment in SC-CO2 no bands attributed to
the organic pollutant are present in Raman spectra. The images of calibration grids
obtained using the SC-CO2 treated cantilevers are more sharp and clear compared to
those obtained using the same cantilevers in «as obtained» state without any treatment;
the number of artifact features on the images obtained using the SC-CO2 treated
cantilevers is also lower.
doi:10.1134/S1990793114080168