Assessement of the Surface Roughness of Cellulose Ionogel Membranes Using Atomic Force Microscopy

Abstract

Nowadays, ionogels are widely researched materials as they can be easily designed and varied as well as have a wide range of applications. Being composed of an ionic liquid and cellulose, they are biodegradable with properties dictated by the ionic liquid such as high conductivity and ion transport capabilities. Sometimes they are used in the aqueous phase, making their analysis very difficult due to the conditions surrounding them. The porosity and surface roughness of membranes are important properties. Atomic force microscopy is capable of avoiding the aforementioned difficulties and providing such essential data while providing images of the examined surface as well. The purpose of this work is to examine this novel material and how specific data can be recorded by atomic force microscopy.