Three-dimensional quantitative force maps in liquid with 10 piconewton, angstrom and sub-minute resolutions

Nanoscale. 2013 Apr 7;5(7):2678-85. doi: 10.1039/c2nr33051b.

Abstract

We develop a bimodal force microscopy method to map the three-dimensional force fields and their time-evolution on a variety of solid-water interfaces. The force maps show an oscillatory decaying force perpendicular to the solid surface with a 0.3 nm periodicity. The technique enables the three-dimensional imaging and mapping of the hydration layers and forces on mica and protein GroEL surfaces with 10 piconewton, 2 angstrom and 40 second (whole volume) resolutions. We record the existence and evolution of nanoscale perturbations involving thousands of water molecules of the protein-liquid interface. Those instabilities are not found in stiff and atomically flat interfaces.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aluminum Silicates / chemistry*
  • Chaperonin 60 / chemistry*
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional / methods*
  • Microscopy, Atomic Force / methods*
  • Particle Size
  • Surface Properties
  • Water / chemistry*

Substances

  • Aluminum Silicates
  • Chaperonin 60
  • Water
  • mica