Multi-environment Nanocalorimeter with Electrical Contacts for Use in the Scanning Electron Microscope

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• In situ analysis of materials under varying environmental conditions is crucial for understanding their behavior.
• Existing techniques often lack the capability to perform simultaneous thermal and electrical measurements within a scanning electron microscope (SEM).

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and demonstrate a versatile nanocalorimeter sensor for combined in situ SEM imaging, nanocalorimetry, and electrical measurements.
• To showcase the sensor's capability in analyzing material properties under different gaseous environments and temperatures.

Main Methods:

• Development of a nanocalorimeter sensor with four heating/sensing elements and eight electrodes on a suspended silicon nitride membrane.
• Integration of the sensor into a scanning electron microscope (SEM) for in situ observations.
• Demonstration using polyethylene oxide phase transitions, nanowire conductivity, and electron beam induced current (EBIC) measurements.

Main Results:

• Successful in situ SEM-nanocalorimetry of polyethylene oxide melting and solidification.
• Measurement of temperature-dependent nanowire conductivity.
• Electron beam induced current (EBIC) measurements of nanowires in vacuum and air.

Conclusions:

• The developed nanocalorimeter sensor is a versatile platform for coupled in situ SEM imaging and nanocalorimetry.
• The sensor enables simultaneous electrical measurements under various gaseous and liquid environments.
• This technology has broad applicability in materials research, nanotechnology, energy, catalysis, and biomedical fields.