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Formation, Manipulation, and Elasticity Measurement of a Nanometric Column of Water Molecules

H. Choe·M. -H. Hong·Y. Seo·K. Lee·G. Kim·Y. Cho·J. Ihm·and W. Jhe
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Abstract

Nanometer-sized columns of condensed water molecules are created by an atomic-resolution force microscope operated in ambient conditions. Unusual stepwise decrease of the force gradient associated with the thin water bridge in the tip-substrate gap is observed during its stretch, exhibiting regularity in step heights (~0.5 N/m) and plateau lengths (~1 nm). Such "quantized" elasticity is indicative of the atomic-scale stick-slip at the tip-water interface. A thermodynamic-instability-induced rupture of the water meniscus (5-nm long and 2.6-nm wide) is also found. This work opens a high-resolution study of the structure and the interface dynamics of a nanometric aqueous column.

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H. Choe, M. -H. Hong, Y. Seo, K. Lee, G. Kim, Y. Cho, J. Ihm, and W. Jhe. 2005-03-21. Formation, Manipulation, and Elasticity Measurement of a Nanometric Column of Water Molecules. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.95.187801

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