We demonstrated that nanoparticles can also be manipulated in a liquid environment by using our pushing protocols. The sequence of images, a, b,c below shows 27 nm Au particles, numbered 1-4 and a 15 nm particle numbered 5. In b we have moved 2,3 and 5, and in c we have formed a line with the 27 nm particles. Manipulation is done at room temperature in deionized water. We also have succeeded in manipulating particles in buffer solutions.
Manipulation in liquids is interesting because (i) by changing the liquid’s characteristics (e.g. its pH) we can control the forces between the tip, particle and substrate, and (ii) it opens new possibilities in the manipulation of biological materials.
Reference: R.Resch, D. Lewis, S. Meltzer, N. Montoya, B.E. Koel, A. Madhukar, A.A.G. Requicha and P. Will, “Manipulation of gold nanoparticles in liquid environments using scanning force microscopy”, Ultramicroscopy, Vol. 82, pp. 135-139, 2000. (PDF version)
