I need help in analysing some TEM micrographs of imaging of nanoparticles. I have interpreted them but need to see interpretation of some other professional. I would love to have your email to enable me forward the result.
Dear Chidozi
you are welcome if I can help you in TEM micrography interpretation
email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Dear colleagye Ezekwem Chidozie,
Have a nice time and good day.
you are welcome: e-mail: [email protected]
Yours
A. El-Denglawey
Dear Ezekwen
Al nanoparticules are aggregated: individual ones are bonded and generate colloidal network
Ti ones look like anatase are more or less dispersed but little bit collapse and it is difficult to determine the size of single ones
My comments:
1. It will be better to work at lower magnification using high contrasted mode (Contrasted Bright Field with a small objective diaphragm) to be sure to observe a large set of particules
In a past study on SiC crystal size in Nicalon fiber we try to answer to the following question : how many crystals should we have to count to get an estimation of the size. A minimum of 120 have to be consider
2. The sample preparation is key parameter and then the nanoparticules should be dispersed : how do you proceed?
Do you use some dispersant molecules (CaCl for example or a drop of organic dispersant like washing liquid) ?
3. On your Al micrography: up left there is some ligand molecules : are you sure of the purity of your sample?
4. After checking these points you can used free image software like ImageJ to determine independantly different parameters such size, form, etc.
I am sorry to be not able to provide you a short and simple easy solution to get the right information
Keep in touch
Commercial products are very often not ultrapure and can conserve some by products issued from synthesis process. If you prepare your TEM samples by adjusting pH you modify the zeta potential and thus induce agglomeration/dissociation. The Zero electrical potential has to be fixe to exactly know what you will obtain by TEM. Please read the article of Lossli & al, 2015 (Effect of electrolyte valency, alginate concentration and pH on engineered TiO2 nanoparticle stability in aqueous solution
Article in Science of The Total Environment 535 · February 2015). Even to disperse nanopowder please don't modify the pH an used ultrapure water (2ml with 5% of NPs), shake, put a drop onto the TEM grid and you should observe disperse NPs. Another protocole can be used using ultramicrotome which is the best but mor time consumming. Up to you
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