Center for Functional Nanomaterials Seminar

Environmental conditions play a pivotal role in material properties. In particular, many processes involving synthesis and corrosion as well as physiological specimens are native to an aqueous environment. To understand the structural changes in materials within an aqueous environment we have utilized the high resolution imaging capabilities of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) combined with an in situ fluid cell holder. In this presentation, the performance of this combined technique will be reviewed noting the electron beam interactions on the solution, contamination sources and a comparison of using TEM vs. STEM. The development of thin film membrane windows for containing the solution from the high vacuum state in the electron microscope has been a focus for expanding the obtainable resolution and analytical information which may be collected from this system. Results from the in situ fluid cell exhibit the ability to acquire thickness measurements, track nanoparticle dynamics and growth, image biological structures in an unperturbed state, as well as acquire chemical and electronic structure bonding information. Through these results it is shown that in situ fluid cell TEM can provide a wealth of information form nanomaterial liquid suspensions. This research was preformed through funding provided by NIH grant number 5RC1GM91755.