I am planning to investigate the distribution of oil inside the microcapsule using FTIR Microscopy. For this purpose, I have to slice the microcapsule (30-40 micron) to thin slices of 2 micron and fix them into CaF2 window (13 mm dia and 0.5 mm thick). I am struggling how to slice the microcapsule using ultra microtomy. All the suggestions and recommendations will be highly appreciated.
It seems to be a big deal. However, you may try to mount the microcapsules in a resin (as in TEM imaging) them cut it with microtome.
Rather than produce a very thin microtomed layer (which may well be next to impossible) think about other approaches. If you only have an FT-IR microscope think about making the measurement in reflectance mode rather than transmission. Alternatively make the measurement with a Raman microscope directly from the region of interest. You'll have to find a way to mount the sample and then expose the analytical surface you are interested in, and for your samples that is going to be challenging.
What about cryomicrotomy? You just need water to fix the sample for sectioning. afterwards put the slice in the superfrost slide or CaF2 and measure. Depending if your sample is soluble in water or not you might use PEG embedding and then wash it with water.
Thanks all for your valuable advise. Batirtze, can you please help me to get any relevant literature.
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