I want to take the SEM and TEM images of samples I synthesized. I synthesized g-C3N4 (Graphitic Carbon Nitride). If I need to take SEM and TEM, should I disperse the obtained powder in a medium (i.e. water, IPA, etc) or can i do the SEM and TEM tests in powder form?
SEM and TEM are usually done in high vacuum so you can't have volatile solvents.
Take your specimen as a powder to your SEM/TEM technician. He/she will be able prepare proper (for electron microscopy) specimens in a short time (5-30 minutes). Even better - contact your technician in advance, ask the same question.
Hi Clement, good suggestions provided by Vladimir Sir. My suggestion is Instead of SEM you can try for FESEM in order to get good quality image.
All the best.
If the samples are powders a technique that used frequently and successfully was to first grind the powders using a mortar and pestle until they were very fine. I would then disperse the powders in 190 proof ethanol. This would allow me to then disperse the powder on a carbon coated grid for a analysis by tem. For sem analysis I would use the same technique of dispersing the powder on a clean stub or carbon coated grid. I would first grind the powder at all for sem analysis.
Clement Fernandez I would recommend you to explore: https://www.coursera.org/learn/tecnicas-microscopicas-caracterizacion , this one is in Spanish but you will have a good understanding of Microscopic techniques. I believe Coursera is an excellent source of knowledge, that could help you in your entire career.
For your imaging analysis, I would recommend you use FESEM and HRTEM. Your samples for FESEM should be well ground powder. This sample should be placed on a carbon tape attached to a copper stub. The sample should be gold coated and it is ready to be analysed. Coating the samples several times is recommended to minimise charging.
For your HRTEM analysis, well ground samples should be placed in a volatile solvent such as absolute ethanol and sonicated for approximately 15 minutes. Thereafter, a grid is dipped in the already sonicated sample solution and subsequently covered with chloroform. The grid is dried under light before being placed in the microscope for analysis.
Samson O. Akpotu Carl Klein Me Liliana Díaz Parrondo James E Hanson
Can any one tell me in TEM result outer surface is it Glycoprotein or Glycolipid present which mainly response for phage attack ?
Dear Balqees Al-Musawi
, should I be honored that you stole a phrase from my post? Stealing is not good, not at all...
Yes, SEM needs proficient skills in order to get good images. The TEM is much more harder than SEM, you need a good skill to prepare a perfect sample first, then operating TEM is another challenge. If you need the results ASAP, get the technical staff to get them done is a good option.
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