Abstract
Uncoated layered alkane (paraffin) objects with a thickness of up to a hundred nanometers have been imaged by scanning tunneling microscopy. This is surprising in view of the generally assumed excellent insulating nature of paraffins. Tilted layers were observed for n-alkanes of various chain lengths. The chemical nature of the imaged objects was demonstrated by the changes of structure observed near the respective melting temperature.
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Michel, B., Travaglini, G., Rohrer, H. et al. Images of crystalline alkanes obtained with scanning tunneling microscopy. Z. Physik B - Condensed Matter 76, 99–105 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01323491
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01323491