Cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy of ZnO tetrapod-like particles

ZnO tetrapod-like particles having legs as long as several tens of micrometers have been observed by cross-sectional electron microscopy. The specimen is prepared by a new method where a photo-resist suspension of the particles fills up holes of an electron microscopy grid and is solidified for the subsequent ion-milling. Electron diffraction and high-resolution electron microscopy of a section of a ZnO tetrapod reveal the orientation relationship among its four legs, which enables us to discuss on the growth mechanism of these particles.