Modern electron microscopes provide unprecendented spatial and energy resolution so that better insight on the chemical composition, chemical state, and structure of materials can be provided. Today, instruments achieving sub 0.1nm resolution and 0.1eV energy resolution are available in key laboratories. In this presentation, we will demonstrate the application of these techniques, in particular using high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy, to characterize carbon based nanostructures such as graphene, and carbon nanotubes with endohedral polymers and polymer-nanotube composites. Additionally, detailed examples related to the study of graphene-based nanosheets for fuel cell applications will show that electron energy loss spectroscopy and TEM provide both site occupancy of dopant atoms and key structural information on the presence of single catalyst atoms and structural defects in graphene nanosheets, all within a scanning transmission electron microscope.

Bonding, structure, and properties of carbon nanostructures with electron microscopy

245th National Meeting (2013)

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