AN ATOMIC-FORCE MICROSCOPY STUDY OF THE WETTING OF AN INORGANIC SURFACE BY LATEX-PARTICLES

Atomic Force Microscopy is used to investigate the wetting of a calcium carbonate crystal surface by latex particles when dried from dispersion. The measured particle heights are found to depend on the scanning rate and on the force of the probe tip acting on the sample. The analysis of the particle profile shows that the spreading is not governed by capillary forces. Below their glass temperature, the latex particles have weak adhesion to the crystal and are moved easily by the probe tip. This results in tip-induced organization of particles. Above their glass temperature, the particles spread on the surface and the are no longer moved by the probe tip.