High-resolution and analytical electron microscopy in a liquid flow cell via gas purging.

Liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy (LPTEM) technique has been used to perform a wide range of in situ and operando studies. While most studies are based on the sample contrast change in the liquid, acquiring high qualitative results in the native liquid environment still poses a challenge. Herein, we present a novel and facile method to perform high-resolution and analytical electron microscopy studies in a liquid flow cell.

Nanoscale visualization of metallic electrodeposition in a well-controlled chemical environment.

Liquid phase transmission electron microscopy (TEM) provides a useful means to study a wide range of dynamics in solution with near-atomic spatial resolution and sub-microsecond temporal resolution. However, it is still a challenge to control the chemical environment (such as the flow of liquid, flow rate, and the liquid composition) in a liquid cell, and evaluate its effect on the various dynamic phenomena. In this work, we have systematically demonstrated the flow performance of anliquid TEM system, which is based on 'on-chip flow' driven by external pressure pumps.

electrochemistry inside a TEM with controlled mass transport.

The field of electrochemistry promises solutions for the future energy crisis and environmental deterioration by developing optimized batteries, fuel-cells and catalysts. Combined with in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM), it can reveal functional and structural changes. A drawback of this relatively young field is lack of reproducibility in controlling the liquid environment while retaining the imaging and analytical capabilities.

Fabrication and characterization of polymer insulated carbon nanotube modified electrochemical nanoprobes.

Electrochemical nanoprobes were fabricated from polymer insulated multiwalled carbon nanotube modified tapping mode atomic force microscope probes. An electrochemically active length of carbon nanotube was exposed by laser ablation of the insulating polymer. Characterization of these probes is done by cyclic voltammetry of ferrocenemethanol in an aqueous solution and by finite element analysis.