We have synthesised Silver and gold nanoparticles from diffrent plant extract by using silver Nitrate and Aucl4. We preserved our sample by Lyophilization. we want to characterise our sample by SEM & TEM analysis. But we are not sure weather any type of coating is required on Sample for TEM & SEM analysis. Secondly, What are the precautions and conditions we need to follow during transportation of sample from our lab to SEM & TEM lab??
No need of coating. Use simple eppendrof tube for transport of sample.
We used commercial silver and gold NP. Second one depends of your kind of samples.
There is definately no need for coating. Just use low voltage for observation in both SEM and TEM. For SEM I recommend
For SEM you can use carbon or Cu tape on the sample stub then uniformly disperse the NPs, you can get good adhesion and better SEM even at high accelerating voltage.
For TEM use Cu or carbon grid directly. Disperse the NPs in alcohol may be methanol and dip the Cu Mess grid in that you will pick up certain particles on the same, try getting images.
Dispere Ag and Au NP in ethanol. Ag and Au is usually very stable, so there is no need of coating them. Prepare your samples one days before SEM/TEM analysis and keep the as-prepared sample away from oxidizing agent, sulfide and heat source. I think your experiment can go on smoothly. Good luck.
No need of coating. Use simple eppendrof tube for transport of sample.
To answer this question, you have to understand why SEM/TEM samples need to be coated. From my knowledge, the coating is to apply the conductive layer to samples. That layer helps to see NPs when NPs are not conductive materials such as ceramic or polymers. More information provided in the link below.
FYI
http://www.leica-microsystems.com/science-lab/brief-introduction-to-coating-technology-for-electron-microscopy/
From my experiences, I coated Pt on Ag/Au samples for SEM, the benefits of the coating is on the website above. However, for TEM, I didn't coat anything since I need to classify the area or NPs between Ag and Au on the same grids, distinguish by color that shows element conduction differently. If you coat it, it will make you difficult to classify the element in the TEM image. Moreover, Au and Ag are conductive materials, more conductive coating is useless.
Secondly, the precaution for sample transportation. Prepare your samples one day before characterization. Disperse your NPs in ethanol, wait for drying and avoid any dust and heat, then keep them in a clean closed container, and transport to SEM/TEM Lab. For TEM container, you may use "TEM grid storage box" to transport your samples.
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