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V. D. dos Santos AC, Hondl N, Ramos-Garcia V, Kuligowski J, Lendl B, Ramer G. AFM-IR for Nanoscale Chemical Characterization in Life Sciences: Recent Developments and Future Directions. ACS MEASUREMENT SCIENCE AU 2023; 3:301-314. [PMID: 37868358 PMCID: PMC10588935 DOI: 10.1021/acsmeasuresciau.3c00010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Despite the ubiquitous absorption of mid-infrared (IR) radiation by virtually all molecules that belong to the major biomolecules groups (proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, nucleic acids), the application of conventional IR microscopy to the life sciences remained somewhat limited, due to the restrictions on spatial resolution imposed by the diffraction limit (in the order of several micrometers). This issue is addressed by AFM-IR, a scanning probe-based technique that allows for chemical analysis at the nanoscale with resolutions down to 10 nm and thus has the potential to contribute to the investigation of nano and microscale biological processes. In this perspective, in addition to a concise description of the working principles and operating modes of AFM-IR, we present and evaluate the latest key applications of AFM-IR to the life sciences, summarizing what the technique has to offer to this field. Furthermore, we discuss the most relevant current limitations and point out potential future developments and areas for further application for fruitful interdisciplinary collaboration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nikolaus Hondl
- Institute
of Chemical Technologies and Analytics, TU Wien, Getreidemarkt 9, 1060 Vienna, Austria
| | - Victoria Ramos-Garcia
- Health
Research Institute La Fe, Avenida Fernando Abril Martorell 106, 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - Julia Kuligowski
- Health
Research Institute La Fe, Avenida Fernando Abril Martorell 106, 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - Bernhard Lendl
- Institute
of Chemical Technologies and Analytics, TU Wien, Getreidemarkt 9, 1060 Vienna, Austria
| | - Georg Ramer
- Institute
of Chemical Technologies and Analytics, TU Wien, Getreidemarkt 9, 1060 Vienna, Austria
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Satyarthy S, Hasan Ul Iqbal M, Abida F, Nahar R, Hauser AJ, Cheng MMC, Ghosh A. Stearic Acid as an Atomic Layer Deposition Inhibitor: Spectroscopic Insights from AFM-IR. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:2713. [PMID: 37836354 PMCID: PMC10574727 DOI: 10.3390/nano13192713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Modern-day chip manufacturing requires precision in placing chip materials on complex and patterned structures. Area-selective atomic layer deposition (AS-ALD) is a self-aligned manufacturing technique with high precision and control, which offers cost effectiveness compared to the traditional patterning techniques. Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) have been explored as an avenue for realizing AS-ALD, wherein surface-active sites are modified in a specific pattern via SAMs that are inert to metal deposition, enabling ALD nucleation on the substrate selectively. However, key limitations have limited the potential of AS-ALD as a patterning method. The choice of molecules for ALD blocking SAMs is sparse; furthermore, deficiency in the proper understanding of the SAM chemistry and its changes upon metal layer deposition further adds to the challenges. In this work, we have addressed the above challenges by using nanoscale infrared spectroscopy to investigate the potential of stearic acid (SA) as an ALD inhibiting SAM. We show that SA monolayers on Co and Cu substrates can inhibit ZnO ALD growth on par with other commonly used SAMs, which demonstrates its viability towards AS-ALD. We complement these measurements with AFM-IR, which is a surface-sensitive spatially resolved technique, to obtain spectral insights into the ALD-treated SAMs. The significant insight obtained from AFM-IR is that SA SAMs do not desorb or degrade with ALD, but rather undergo a change in substrate coordination modes, which can affect ALD growth on substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saumya Satyarthy
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA; (S.S.); (M.H.U.I.)
| | - Md Hasan Ul Iqbal
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA; (S.S.); (M.H.U.I.)
| | - Fairoz Abida
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA; (F.A.); (M.M.-C.C.)
| | - Ridwan Nahar
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA; (R.N.); (A.J.H.)
| | - Adam J. Hauser
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA; (R.N.); (A.J.H.)
| | - Mark Ming-Cheng Cheng
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA; (F.A.); (M.M.-C.C.)
| | - Ayanjeet Ghosh
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA; (S.S.); (M.H.U.I.)
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Kim D, Townsley S, Grassian VH. Vibrational spectroscopy as a probe of heterogeneities within geochemical thin films on macro, micro, and nanoscales. RSC Adv 2023; 13:28873-28884. [PMID: 37790106 PMCID: PMC10543985 DOI: 10.1039/d3ra05179j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Minerals play a critical role in the chemistry occurring along the interface of different environmental systems, including the atmosphere/geosphere and hydrosphere/geosphere. In the past few decades, vibrational spectroscopy has been used as a probe for studying interfacial geochemistry. Here, we compare four different vibrational methods for probing physical and chemical features across different mineral samples and length scales, from the macroscale to nanoscale. These methods include Attenuated Total Reflection - Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR), Optical Photothermal Infrared (O-PTIR), Atomic Force Microscopy-Infrared (AFM-IR) and micro-Raman spectroscopy. The emergence of these micro-spectroscopic probes has offered new insights into heterogeneities within geochemical thin films and particles. These developments represent an important step forward for analyzing environmental interfaces and thin films as often these are assumed to be physically and chemically homogeneous. By comparing and integrating data across these measurement techniques, new insights into sample differences and heterogeneities can be gained. For example, interrogation of the various mineral samples at smaller length scales is shown to be particularly informative in highlighting unique chemical environments, including for chemically complex, multicomponent samples such as Arizona Test Dust (AZTD), as well as differences due to crystal orientation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah Kim
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego La Jolla CA 92093 USA
| | - Samantha Townsley
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego La Jolla CA 92093 USA
| | - Vicki H Grassian
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego La Jolla CA 92093 USA
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Kim D, Grassian VH. Analysis of micro- and nanoscale heterogeneities within environmentally relevant thin films containing biological components, oxyanions and minerals using AFM-PTIR spectroscopy. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2023; 25:484-495. [PMID: 36789672 DOI: 10.1039/d3em00005b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Minerals in groundwater interact with various chemical and biological species including organic matter, proteins, and prevalent oxyanions, resulting in surface coatings and thin films of these different components. Surface interactions and the surface adsorption of these components on both oxide and oxyhydroxide iron surfaces have been widely investigated using a variety of spectroscopic methods. Despite these numerous studies, there still remains uncertainty with respect to interactions between these individual components, as well as heterogeneities and phase segregations within these thin films. In this study, we investigate mixtures containing Fe-containing minerals, proteins, and oxyanions to better understand surface interactions and phase segregation using Atomic Force Microscopy PhotoThermal Infrared (AFM-PTIR) spectroscopy. The results of this study show that AFM-PTIR spectroscopy can identify both nano- and microscale heterogeneities present within these thin films that are difficult to discern with other more conventional techniques such as ATR-FTIR spectroscopy due to phase segregation and mineral surface interactions. Overall, AFM-PTIR spectroscopy provides insights into multi-component environmental films that are difficult to uncover using other methodologies. This method has the potential to differentiate between bound and unbound toxic species as well as biological components, including environmental DNA, which can be used to assess the fate and transport of these species in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah Kim
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
| | - Vicki H Grassian
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
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Xu S, Zhu P, Wang C, Zhang D, Pan X. Environmental concentration PFOS as a light shield for lake exopolymers against photodegradation by formation of sandwiched supramolecular nanostructures. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 227:119345. [PMID: 36395569 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.119345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
EPS (exopolymers) play a central role in global carbon cycling due to huger amount in aquatic environment, and PFOS (Perfluorooctane sulfonate) is also ubiquitous and persistent pollutant. Whether and how can PFOS of environmental concentrations affect behavior and fate of EPS was unclear. In this study, for the first time interaction between lake EPS and PFOS of environmental concentrations was visually probed by AFM-IR technique. It was found that EPS could effectively trap PFOS and the latter of environmental concentrations could trigger nanoscale reassembly of the former. Sandwiched PFOS-EPS nanostructures were formed via supramolecular interaction between EPS and PFOS, confirmed by fluorescence quenching titration and FTIR spectroscopy. The PFOS microlayers sandwiched in EPS was proven to be a light shield that could protect EPS from photodegradation because of its high reflectivity and nearly zero absorbance of UV-Vis light. The light shielding effect of PFOS was confirmed by evidences from photodegradation experiments, including change of concentrations of ions released and molecular weight distribution patterns. These novel findings provided valuable information for deep insight into environmental behavior of PFOS and its effects on biogeochemical carbon cycle of biopolymers in global waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyan Xu
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Pengfeng Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Caiqin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Daoyong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiangliang Pan
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China.
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Lin YT, He H, Kaya H, Liu H, Ngo D, Smith NJ, Banerjee J, Borhan A, Kim SH. Photothermal Atomic Force Microscopy Coupled with Infrared Spectroscopy (AFM-IR) Analysis of High Extinction Coefficient Materials: A Case Study with Silica and Silicate Glasses. Anal Chem 2022; 94:5231-5239. [PMID: 35312271 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c04398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Photothermal atomic force microscopy coupled with infrared spectroscopy (AFM-IR) brings significant value as a spatially resolved surface analysis technique for disordered oxide materials such as glasses, but additional development and fundamental understanding of governing principles is needed to interpret AFM-IR spectra, since the existing theory described for organic materials does not work for materials with high extinction coefficients for infrared (IR) absorption. This paper describes theoretical calculation of a transient temperature profile inside the IR-absorbing material considering IR refraction at the interface as well as IR adsorption and heat transfer inside the sample. This calculation explains the differences in peak positions and amplitudes of AFM-IR spectra from those of specular reflectance and extinction coefficient spectra. It also addresses the information depth of the AFM-IR characterization of bulk materials. AFM-IR applied to silica and silicate glass surfaces has demonstrated novel capability of characterizing subsurface structural changes and surface heterogeneity due to mechanical stresses from physical contacts, as well as chemical alterations manifested in surface layers through aqueous corrosion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen-Ting Lin
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Hongtu He
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States.,Key Laboratory of Testing Technology for Manufacturing Process, Ministry of Education, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, Sichuan 621010, China
| | - Huseyin Kaya
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Hongshen Liu
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Dien Ngo
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Nicholas J Smith
- Science & Technology Division, Corning Incorporated, Corning, New York 14831, United States
| | - Joy Banerjee
- Science & Technology Division, Corning Incorporated, Corning, New York 14831, United States
| | - Ali Borhan
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Seong H Kim
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States.,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
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Fellows AP, Casford MTL, Davies PB. Infrared Nanospectroscopy of Air-Sensitive Biological Substrates Protected by Thin Hydrogel Films. Biophys J 2020; 119:1474-1480. [PMID: 33035449 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2020.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The air sensitivity of many substrates, and specifically biosurfaces, presents an experimental challenge for their analysis by vibrational spectroscopy and, in particular, infrared microscopy on a nanometer scale. The recent development of atomic-force-microscopy-based infrared spectroscopy (AFM-IR), which circumvents the Abbe diffraction limit, allows nanoscale chemical characterization of surfaces. Additionally, this technique has been shown to work for thin films under aqueous environments but is limited to substrates up to 10 nm thick, thus ruling out application to many biological surfaces. To circumvent this restriction, we have utilized hydrogels to cover such surfaces and maintain a more physiologically representative environment for biological substrates. We show that it is feasible to use AFM-IR to chemically characterize this type of substrate buried under a thin hydrogel film. Specifically, this work describes the AFM-IR spectra of red blood cells under polyvinyl alcohol hydrogels.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mike T L Casford
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
| | - Paul B Davies
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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Olson NE, Xiao Y, Lei Z, Ault AP. Simultaneous Optical Photothermal Infrared (O-PTIR) and Raman Spectroscopy of Submicrometer Atmospheric Particles. Anal Chem 2020; 92:9932-9939. [PMID: 32519841 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.0c01495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Physicochemical analysis of individual atmospheric aerosols at the most abundant sizes in the atmosphere (<1 μm) is analytically challenging, as hundreds to thousands of species are often present in femtoliter volumes. Vibrational spectroscopies, such as infrared (IR) and Raman, have great potential for probing functional groups in single particles at ambient pressure and temperature. However, the diffraction limit of IR radiation limits traditional IR microscopy to particles > ∼10 μm, which have less relevance to aerosol health and climate impacts. Optical photothermal infrared (O-PTIR) spectroscopy is a contactless method that circumvents diffraction limitations by using changes in the scattering intensity of a continuous wave visible laser (532 nm) to detect the photothermal expansion when a vibrational mode is excited by a tunable IR laser (QCL: 800-1800 cm-1 or OPO: 2600-3600 cm-1). Herein, we simultaneously collect O-PTIR spectra with Raman spectra at a single point for individual particles with aerodynamic diameters <400 nm (prior to impaction and spreading) at ambient temperature and pressure, by also collecting the inelastically scattered visible photons for Raman spectra. O-PTIR and Raman spectra were collected for submicrometer particles with different substrates, particle chemical compositions, and morphologies (i.e., core-shell), as well as IR mapping with submicron spatial resolution. Initial O-PTIR analysis of ambient atmospheric particles identified both inorganic and organic modes in individual sub- and supermicrometer particles. The simultaneous IR and Raman microscopy with submicrometer spatial resolution described herein has considerable potential both in atmospheric chemistry and numerous others fields (e.g., materials and biological research).
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole E Olson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Yao Xiao
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Ziying Lei
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Andrew P Ault
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
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