CHAPTER 8
Surface Characterization
and Imaging Methods
CHAPTER OVERVIEW
This chapter provides a broad survey of some of the common techniques
used to characterize interfacial properties and properties of nanomaterials on surfaces. As discussed in Chapter 7, surfaces and interfaces
have many unique properties due to their symmetry (functioning as a 2D
nanosystem) and the ability for particles at interfaces to simultaneously
encounter two different environments The methods introduced in this
chapter range from traditional surface science tools, spectroscopic methods, and gravimetric techniques to more specialized characterization
approaches such as nonlinear optical methods and interferometic techniques. The chapter focuses on the principles behind the techniques and
the interpretation of data. Specific examples of the application of these
methods to nanomaterials are found in Chapters 9 and 10.
8.1 SURFACE TENSIOMETRY: THE SURFACE
TENSIOMETER
There are a number of methods used to determine the surface tension of
liquids. One important method is to study the movement of the fluid up
through a capillary tube, and this is probably the most accurate method of
determining surface tension values. The basic setup is shown in Figure 8.1.
From this setup, the surface tension of a particular fluid of density r can
be calculated directly using the height h to which the liquid rises through
the narrow capillary of radius r as described by Equation 8.1.
g =
rhΔrg
2cosf
(8.1)
Surface Characterization
and Imaging Methods
CHAPTER OVERVIEW
This chapter provides a broad survey of some of the common techniques
used to characterize interfacial properties and properties of nanomaterials on surfaces. As discussed in Chapter 7, surfaces and interfaces
have many unique properties due to their symmetry (functioning as a 2D
nanosystem) and the ability for particles at interfaces to simultaneously
encounter two different environments The methods introduced in this
chapter range from traditional surface science tools, spectroscopic methods, and gravimetric techniques to more specialized characterization
approaches such as nonlinear optical methods and interferometic techniques. The chapter focuses on the principles behind the techniques and
the interpretation of data. Specific examples of the application of these
methods to nanomaterials are found in Chapters 9 and 10.
8.1 SURFACE TENSIOMETRY: THE SURFACE
TENSIOMETER
There are a number of methods used to determine the surface tension of
liquids. One important method is to study the movement of the fluid up
through a capillary tube, and this is probably the most accurate method of
determining surface tension values. The basic setup is shown in Figure 8.1.
From this setup, the surface tension of a particular fluid of density r can
be calculated directly using the height h to which the liquid rises through
the narrow capillary of radius r as described by Equation 8.1.
g =
rhΔrg
2cosf
(8.1)