Prabodini Wimalasiri SEM images can be challenging to obtain due to high vacuum conditions and the potential for liquid samples to evaporate or be damaged. However, there are methods to prepare liquid samples for SEM analysis by properly drying them. These include Critical Point Drying (CPD), Freeze Drying (Lyophilization), Chemical Fixation and Dehydration, Coating with Conductive Materials, and considering the sample size.rabodini Wimalasiri

A more recent approach is a gas tight capsule with electron transparent cover:

http://wetsem.com/

but it's rather expensive: some 1000$ for the started kit.

or here

https://academic.oup.com/jmicro/article/67/6/356/5126882

Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope may be a good choice.

Liquid and volatile materials, such as silver paste, polishing fluids, and inks, used in the process of making semiconductors and electronic products may lead to flaws in finished goods. When inspecting the surface of solid samples, a scanning electron microscope (SEM) is commonly used, but it cannot be used for liquid/volatile materials as they may hamper the SEM vacuum and lead to chamber contamination. As an alternative, these materials can be solidified by baking them for SEM inspection, but this may deform their shape and texture, causing the distribution and dispersion of particles in liquid material to be lost and its actual pattern to be unobservable. Therefore, a liquid specific SEM platform was introduced: The SEM liquid platform is a closed structure with a thin SiN film covering the surface, enabling it to enclose liquid/volatile materials. This setup allows the SEM to excite secondary or backscattered electrons on the surface of the liquid sample for successful imaging without impacting the SEM vacuum or causing vacuum system contamination.

Please refer to the attachment below:

https://www.istgroup.com/en/tech_20190305/

Obtaining SEM images from liquid samples, especially those containing nanoparticles, can be challenging. Traditional SEM requires a vacuum environment, which is not compatible with liquid samples as they would evaporate or be damaged.However, there are specialized techniques like environmental SEM (ESEM) or cryo-SEM that can be employed for imaging hydrated or frozen samples. These methods allow for imaging in the presence of water or other liquids. Consider consulting with microscopy experts or utilizing facilities equipped with such instruments for your specific sample requirements.

Yes, it is possible to obtain (SEM) images of nanoparticles in a liquid sample using techniques such as environmental SEM (ESEM) or liquid cell microscopy. These methods allow imaging of samples in their native liquid environment, providing insights into the behavior of nanoparticles in solution. Keep in mind that sample preparation and the choice of imaging conditions are crucial for successful imaging in liquid environments.