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A glow discharge unit to render electron microscope grids and other surfaces hydrophilic
1M.E. Müller Institute for High Resolution Electron Microscopy, University of Basel, Switzerland.
Journal of Electron Microscopy Technique
|September 1, 1987
Summary
This study presents an inexpensive glow discharge unit for making surfaces hydrophilic. The rapid process enhances particle adsorption for electron microscopy sample preparation.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biophysics
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Hydrophilic surfaces are crucial for biological sample preparation in electron microscopy.
- Conventional methods for creating hydrophilic surfaces can be time-consuming and expensive.
- Improving particle adsorption is key for techniques like negative staining and freeze-drying.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and construct a simple, inexpensive glow discharge unit.
- To demonstrate its effectiveness in rendering surfaces hydrophilic.
- To reduce the time required for surface treatment.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a vacuum leak detector (Tesla coil) as a power source.
- Employed a small plastic desiccator as the vacuum chamber.
- Developed a rapid glow discharge process (2-3 minutes).
Main Results:
- Successfully created hydrophilic surfaces on carbon-coated grids and glass coverslips.
- Achieved significantly improved particle adsorption (several orders of magnitude).
- Demonstrated a process time considerably shorter than conventional vacuum evaporators.
Conclusions:
- The developed glow discharge unit offers a cost-effective and rapid solution for surface hydrophilization.
- This method significantly enhances sample preparation for various electron microscopy techniques.
- The simplicity and speed make it a valuable tool for research laboratories.