Soft matter and nanomaterials characterization by cryogenic transmission electron microscopy

Watt, John; Huber, Dale L.; Stewart, Phoebe L.

doi:10.1557/mrs.2019.285

Soft matter and nanomaterials characterization by cryogenic transmission electron microscopy

Journal Article · Mon Dec 09 23:00:00 EST 2019 · MRS Bulletin

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1557/mrs.2019.285· OSTI ID:1581981

Watt, John ^[1]; Huber, Dale L. ^[1]; Stewart, Phoebe L. ^[2]

Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States). Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies
Case Western Reserve Univ., Cleveland, OH (United States)

Soft matter has historically been an unlikely candidate for investigation by electron microscopy techniques due to damage by the electron beam as well as inherent instability under a high vacuum environment. Characterization of soft matter has often relied on ensemble-scattering techniques. The recent development of cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) provides the soft matter community with an exciting opportunity to probe the structure of soft materials in real space. Cryo-TEM reduces beam damage and allows for characterization in a native, frozen-hydrated state, providing direct visual representation of soft structure. This article reviews cryo-TEM in soft materials characterization and illustrates how it has provided unique insights not possible by traditional ensemble techniques. Soft matter systems that have benefited from the use of cryo-TEM include biological-based “soft” nanoparticles (e.g., viruses and conjugates), synthetic polymers, supramolecular materials as well as the organic–inorganic interface of colloidal nanoparticles. We conclude that while many challenges remain, such as combining structural and chemical analyses; the opportunity for soft matter research to leverage newly developed cryo-TEM techniques continues to excite.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES) (SC-22); USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC04-94AL85000; NA0003525; 89233218CNA000001

OSTI ID:: 1581981

Report Number(s):: SAND--2019-13745J; 681344

Journal Information:: MRS Bulletin, Journal Name: MRS Bulletin Journal Issue: 12 Vol. 44; ISSN 0883-7694

Publisher:: Materials Research SocietyCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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