Single-Molecule Force Spectroscopy on Xanthan by AFM

Abstract

Single-molecule force spectroscopy, a new technique that is useful for exploring the mechanical properties of single polymer coils and also for examining polymers with specific secondary structures, is described. The Figure shows the principle of the experiment. A thin layer of the sample is placed on a piezo crystal and stretched using the tip of the atomic force microscope, allowing force–extension curves to be derived.