Observed lattice structures of polyethylene with TEM and STM

Polyethylene thin films were prepared by the ionized cluster beam (ICB) deposition technique. There are perfect polyethylene crystal lamellae in the thin films. We have analyzed polyethylene thin films with the transmission electron microscope (TEM) and found the (001) plane parallel to the surface of the substrate. There are strict periodic structures in the (110) plane, but no good periodic structures in the [110] direction. We have observed the polyethylene lamellar surface topography with the scanning tunneling microscope (STM), and found the fold chain structures on the (001) surface of polyethylene crystal lamellae.EI111119-11214