Although scanning probe microscopy (SPM) can generate images of surface topography, this class of techniques is exceptionally valuable in its ability to provide quantitative and chemically specific information about biomaterial surfaces with high spatial definition. Since engineered biomaterials are designed to deliver chemically defined information, often arrayed in specific geometries, tools that can characterize such materials are needed.A few years ago, we demonstrated how the atomic force microscope (AFM) could precisely distinguish between each of the four nucleotide bases that comprise DNA, measure the nucleotide-nucleotide force of interaction and spatially localize that information on a surface (1). in particular, we found that the nucleotide bases could self-assemble on gold. The assembly process was imaged using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and this led to an understanding of the structure of the assembled film. The assembled film structure was further characterized using electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS).
The study of metal-oxide sol-gel nanocomposites using scanning probe microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy