An example is given of using new thermal probes (used in the same way as conventional AFM probes) to study a blend of isotactic and syndiotactic polypropylene. A further example is given using a blend of PA6 and PET and in this case it is shown how nanothermal analysis (nano-TA) can be used as a highly complementary technique with Raman microscopy. By combining both techniques it becomes possible to visualize the highly complex morphology of this material. The wider applicability of nano-TA with AFM is also discussed.
This tutorial answers some how-to-do-it questions concerning the most common operations in AFM force-spectroscopy, namely mapping adhesion or more general force distributions, and calculating Young’s modulus.
