Electrostatic force microscopy of nanofibers and carbon nanotubes: Quantitative analysis using theory and experiment

Electrostatic force microscopy (EFM) is a widely used scanning-probe technique for the characterization of electronic properties of nanoscale samples without the use of electrical contacts. Here we review the basic principles of EFM, developing a quantitative framework by which EFM measurements of extended nanostructures can be understood. We support our calculations with experimental data of EFM of carbon nanotubes and conducting or insulating electrospun polyaniline-based nanofibers. Furthermore, we explore routes towards extending EFM as a means of non-invasively probing the local electronic density of states of carbon nanotubes.