I'll soon be working on a project that involves nanoparticles which need to be under anoxic conditions. My collaborators are preparing the samples in an inert glovebox at another institution and sending them to me. The question is, how do I load them into the TEM holder without exposing them to air? I don't have access to a glovebox, but is there a way to jerry-rig a system that would allow me to minimize the time the samples are exposed to air? A colleague mentioned using some kind of container that I could fill with nitrogen, either from compressed N2 or liquid N2, but I'm not sure what kind of container I might use for that purpose. We don't have a vacuum holder, so they will be exposed to atmosphere when I load the actual sample holder into the microscope, but I'm looking to at least try and avoid exposing them during the actual sample loading. Any tips?
You can try using an Atmosbag
https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/ZA/en/search/aldrich-atmosbag?focus=products&page=1&perPage=30&sort=relevance&term=aldrich-atmosbag&type=product
Load the sample on the TEM support grid in the bag under inert gas with the TEM holder in the bag as well. After sample loading place the grid in the TEM holder. Then place the the TEM holder in an additional double seal ziploc bag inside the atmos bag whilst still under inert gas. You can then remove the left over samples and loading accesories from the Atmosbag. Take the Atmosbag with TEM holder sealed in the additional ziploc bag inside the Atmosbag to the microscope. Tape the opening of the Atmosbag around the TEM goniometer sample entrance. Then fill the Atmosbag with an inert gas and purge for a bit in over pressure to get rid of most of the oxygen. After a while open the ziploc bag with the TEM holder inside and place into the microscope and pump.
This is a pretty involved process but certain nanostructured materials can oxidise very quickly in ambient environments even if passivated.
You have some cheap options:
1) https://www.thomassci.com/Miscellaneous-Product-Bel-Art-Products/_/Scienceware-Portable-Glove-Box-System?q=Portable%20Glove%20Box
2) https://www.coleparmer.com/p/glove-bag-inflatable-glove-chambers/49332
3) https://www.coleparmer.com/i/erlab-2200anm-captair-pyramid-glove-bag-pvc-with-butyl-gloves/3366650
4) https://www.terrauniversal.com/basic-laboratory-gloveboxes.html
Anyway, the cheapest option is 2 (which is a plastic bag that you can fill with nitrogen).
I hope these suggestions can be useful to you.
The last are the best way, easier and much better than use an open cylinder with continuous flow of nitrogen.
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