Liquid-cell transmission electron microscopy (LCTEM) is a specialized <i>in situ</i> imaging technique that enables visualization of solvated nanomaterials and their dynamics. Unlike cryogenic (cryo) TEM, LCTEM does not require sample vitrification and can thus be applied to dynamic systems, viscous samples, and nanomaterials dispersed in organic solvents. With LCTEM, researchers have overcome the incompatibility between liquid and the vacuum environment of an electron microscope to observe numerous unexplored nanomaterials, from organic-phase nano-assemblies to stimuli-responsive nanomaterials.<br/>In this presentation, I give a brief overview of the capabilities of LCTEM and how I have applied this technique to probe the sensitizing effect of metallic nanoparticles, elucidate the morphology of static organic-phase polymeric nano-architectures, and observe the dynamics of both aqueous phase and organic phase thermoresponsive polymeric nanomaterials. Through my presentation, I hope to highlight the value in utilizing LCTEM in the field of polymer and nanoscience to characterize materials not amenable to cryo-TEM or other standard techniques.

Studying solution-phase soft nanomaterials via liquid-cell transmission electron microscopy

Fall 2022 abstracts, posters, and presentations will launch in mid-September.

ACS Fall 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.