Development of molecular patterning and immobilization techniques for scanning tunnelling microscopy and atomic force microscopy

Abstract

A preliminary study has been carried out to evaluate the possibility of patterning biological molecules on surfaces for scanning tunnelling microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The approach uses the concept of treating surfaces that are suitable for semiconductor lithography with bridging molecules that can be patterned to micrometre and nanometre scales. Indium tin oxide and flame-treated gold have been selected as the immobilization surfaces, and initial results indicate good anchorage of proteins for scanning tunnelling microscope imaging using the bridging procedure developed.