In this work, a new type of ATR sample carrier for AFM-IR experiments was introduced and successfully tested. The sample carrier is compatible with a common, commercial AFM-IR instrument, paving the way for cost-effective nanoscale chemical imaging in air and in liquids. Using ray tracing and photonic simulations we verified that the flat, silicon ATR carrier is suitable for AFM-IR measurements and should provide results similar to conventional ZnSe prism sample carriers. Experimentally, we have demonstrated the feasibility of our approach by using a simple polymer blend consisting of PMMA and PS. We have also shown that chemical imaging and mid-IR spectroscopy are possible at nanoscale with a flat, Si ATR. Going forward, we believe, this novel approach allows to conduct AFM-IR measurements in liquids that would not have been possible otherwise i.e., of samples in or on acidic environments. Furthermore, silicon surface functionalization is well understood and opening the door for further studies of thin films, selective enrichment of analytes on the substrate or