Amphiphilic small molecules and polymers form commonplace nanoscale macromolecular compartments and bilayers, and as such are truly essential components in all cells and in many cellular processes. The nature of these architectures, including their formation, phase changes, and stimuli-response behaviors are necessary for the most basic functions of life, and over the past half-century, these natural micellar structures have inspired a vast diversity of industrial products, from biomedicines to detergents, lubricants and coatings. The importance of these materials and their ubiquity, have made them the subject of intense investigation regarding their nanoscale dynamics with increasing interest in obtaining sufficient temporal and spatial resolution to directly observe nanoscale processes. However, the vast majority of experimental methods involve either bulk-averaging techniques including light, neutron and X-ray scattering, or are static in nature including even the most advanced cryogenic transmission electron microscopy techniques. Here, we describe <i>in situ</i> liquid cell transmission electron microscopy (LCTEM) for the direct observation of the evolution of individual amphiphilic block copolymer micellar nanoparticles in solution, in real time with nanometer spatial resolution. In addition, we explore other organic materials, and hybrid materials fort he formation and growth in solutions including aqueous and organic solvents.

Matter in motion by liquid cell TEM: Phase transitions, diffusion, collisions, and growth mechanisms

2019 Spring National Meeting

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