Unveiling the nanoscale world: Exploring surface tension measurements with atomic force nanoindenters

Abstract

This review summarises state-of-the-art AFM experiments measuring surface tension in various liquid systems with cylinder shaped AFM probes (nanoindenters). AFM has emerged as a powerful technique, offering precise force measurements and advantages such as reduced sample contamination, analysis of small sample amounts, and access to nanoscale features such as the measurement of the single particle surface tension. These contribute to advancing our understanding of liquid systems and interfacial phenomena. However, the limited number of published studies may be attributed to challenges in AFM-based measurements using the micro-Wilhelmy method or the complexity of the perceived importance of surface tension research. Further investigation is needed to elucidate these factors. In recent years, the possibilities for producing nanoindenters have become increasingly precise which gives a new momentum to the AFM technique to measure surface tensions on a micro and nanoscale.