Wet-STEM Tomography: Principles, Potentialities and Limitations. (26th February 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Masenelli-Varlot, Karine; Malchère, Annie; Ferreira, José; Heidari Mezerji, Hamed; Bals, Sara; Messaoudi, Cédric; Marco Garrido, Sergio
• Is Part Of: Microscopy and microanalysis. Volume 20:Number 2(2014:Apr.)
• Page Start: 366
• Page End: 375
• Publication Date: 2014-02-26
• Subjects: Microscopy -- Periodicals; Microchemistry -- Periodicals; 502.82
• DOI: 10.1017/S1431927614000105
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1431-9276

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="normal"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>The characterization of biological and inorganic materials by determining their three-dimensional structure in conditions closer to their native state is a major challenge of technological research. Environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) provides access to the observation of hydrated samples in water environments. Here, we present a specific device for ESEM in the scanning transmission electron microscopy mode, allowing the acquisition of tilt-series suitable for tomographic reconstructions. The resolution which can be obtained with this device is first determined. Then, we demonstrate the feasibility of tomography on wet materials. The example studied here is hydrophilic mesoporous silica (MCM-41). Finally, the minimum thickness of water which can be detected is calculated from Monte Carlo simulations and compared with the resolution expected in the tomograms.</p> </abstract>