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Scanning Electron Microscopy

Scanning Electron Microscopy

A scanning electron microscope (SEM) is used to study the surface features of a sample by using an electron beam that scans the sample surface in a two-dimensional manner. Typically, areas between ~1 centimeter to 5 micrometers in width can be imaged. SEM can be used to image bacteria, viruses, tissues as well as larger samples like insects. Conventional SEM gives a magnification ranging from 20X to 30,000X and spatial resolution of 50 to 100 nanometers.
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Writing and Low-Temperature Characterization of Oxide Nanostructures

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Visualizing the Cu/Cu2(O) Interface Transition in Nanoparticles with Environmental Scanning Transmission Electron

Alec P LaGrow¹, Michael R Ward¹, David C Lloyd¹

¹The York Nanocentre and Departments of ‡Physics, ∥Chemistry, and §Electronics, University of York , York YO10 5DD, U.K.

Journal of the American Chemical Society

|December 13, 2016

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers studied copper nanoparticle redox mechanisms using environmental scanning transmission electron microscopy. They observed unidirectional oxidation and reduction, revealing crystallographic relationships crucial for nanocatalyst control.

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Area of Science:

Nanocatalysis
Materials Science
Surface Chemistry

Background:

Understanding redox mechanisms in transition metal nanoparticles is key for optimizing catalytic applications.
Nanoparticles can change oxidation states in situ during reactions, necessitating dynamic observation.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the dynamic oxidation and reduction mechanisms of copper nanoparticles.
To elucidate the crystallographic relationships during redox processes in copper nanocatalysis.

Main Methods:

Utilized a high-resolution environmental scanning transmission electron microscope (ESTEM) for in situ observation.
Employed high-angle annular dark-field imaging to track oxidation fronts and atomic number contrast changes.
Studied dynamic oxidation and subsequent reduction of copper nanoparticles under varying temperature and oxygen/hydrogen pressures.

Main Results:

Observed unidirectional progression of the oxidation front across copper nanoparticles.
Identified a specific crystallographic relationship (Cu{111}//Cu2O{111}) at the Cu-to-Cu2O interface.
Found that reduction processes mirrored oxidation, maintaining similar crystallographic relationships.

Conclusions:

Dynamic in situ ESTEM observations provide critical insights into copper nanoparticle redox mechanisms.
The unidirectional progression and crystallographic relationships are vital for controlling nanoparticle behavior in catalysis.
Findings are important for understanding and engineering copper-based nanocatalysts.