I am studying geotechnical properties of clay-like pumice containg clay mineral halloysite.
But I met one problem, for example, I do not konw how to make the specimen of soil to observe its morphology using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Who can tell me how to do or recommend some videos or handbook to me? Thank you very much.
The preparation process is straightforward. You should begin by drying the material and affixing it to a conductive substrate,fofr exapmle by carbon tape. Lastly, because your sample is non-conductive, it will require sputtering with another conductive material, typically carbon or gold.
I will endorse Magdalena Król in her answer. I would start with a simple preparation and then get more elaborate as you need finer detail.
A preparation of powder on carbon tabs (or tape) is a good starting point. Be advised that different materials have different depths of adhesive. Tape adhesive tends to be thick and particles can disappear into it. Some provide smoother backgrounds than others. Experiment.
I encourage all our users to consider that virtually all sample preparation alters samples. The question is to what degree. For example, gold coating comes with a texture than becomes visible about ~15kx. Drying can collapse clays and introduce desiccation cracks. Powder preparation can be quite selective in the particles retained.
Identify what you want to characterize as a first step. That will (or should) guide how you will go about getting the information you want.
If your specimen is pumice-like (porous rock), then observe its fracture surface first.
It it's a powder, you've already got advice.
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