1
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Toleukhanova S, Shen TH, Chang C, Swathilakshmi S, Bottinelli Montandon T, Tileli V. Graphene Electrode for Studying CO 2 Electroreduction Nanocatalysts under Realistic Conditions in Microcells. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2311133. [PMID: 38217533 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202311133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
The ability to resolve the dynamic evolution of electrocatalytically induced processes with electrochemical liquid-phase electron microscopy (EM) is limited by the microcell configuration. Herein, a free-standing tri-layer graphene is integrated as a membrane and electrode material into the electrochemical chip and its suitability as a substrate electrode at the high cathodic potentials required for CO2 electroreduction (CO2ER) is evaluated. The three-layer stacked graphene is transferred onto an in-house fabricated single-working electrode chip for use with bulk-like reference and counter electrodes to facilitate evaluation of its effectiveness. Electrochemical measurements show that the graphene working electrode exhibits a wider inert cathodic potential range than the conventional glassy carbon electrode while achieving good charge transfer properties for nanocatalytic redox reactions. Operando scanning electron microscopy studies clearly demonstrate the improvement in spatial resolution but reveal a synergistic effect of the electron beam and the applied potential that limits the stability time window of the graphene-based electrochemical chip. By optimizing the operating conditions, in situ monitoring of Cu nanocube degradation is achieved at the CO2ER potential of -1.1 V versus RHE. Thus, this improved microcell configuration allows EM observation of catalytic processes at potentials relevant to real systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saltanat Toleukhanova
- Institute of Materials, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, CH-1015, Switzerland
| | - Tzu-Hsien Shen
- Institute of Materials, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, CH-1015, Switzerland
| | - Chen Chang
- Institute of Materials, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, CH-1015, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Vasiliki Tileli
- Institute of Materials, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, CH-1015, Switzerland
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2
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Merkens S, Tollan C, De Salvo G, Bejtka K, Fontana M, Chiodoni A, Kruse J, Iriarte-Alonso MA, Grzelczak M, Seifert A, Chuvilin A. Toward sub-second solution exchange dynamics in flow reactors for liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2522. [PMID: 38514605 PMCID: PMC10957994 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46842-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy is a burgeoning experimental technique for monitoring nanoscale dynamics in a liquid environment, increasingly employing microfluidic reactors to control the composition of the sample solution. Current challenges comprise fast mass transport dynamics inside the central nanochannel of the liquid cell, typically flow cells, and reliable fixation of the specimen in the limited imaging area. In this work, we present a liquid cell concept - the diffusion cell - that satisfies these seemingly contradictory requirements by providing additional on-chip bypasses to allow high convective transport around the nanochannel in which diffusive transport predominates. Diffusion cell prototypes are developed using numerical mass transport models and fabricated on the basis of existing two-chip setups. Important hydrodynamic parameters, i.e., the total flow resistance, the flow velocity in the imaging area, and the time constants of mixing, are improved by 2-3 orders of magnitude compared to existing setups. The solution replacement dynamics achieved within seconds already match the mixing timescales of many ex-situ scenarios, and further improvements are possible. Diffusion cells can be easily integrated into existing liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy workflows, provide correlation of results with ex-situ experiments, and can create additional research directions addressing fast nanoscale processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Merkens
- CIC nanoGUNE BRTA, Tolosa Hiribidea 76, 20018, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain.
- Department of Physics, Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (UPV/EHU), 20018, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain.
| | - Christopher Tollan
- CIC nanoGUNE BRTA, Tolosa Hiribidea 76, 20018, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Giuseppe De Salvo
- CIC nanoGUNE BRTA, Tolosa Hiribidea 76, 20018, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
- Department of Physics, Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (UPV/EHU), 20018, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Katarzyna Bejtka
- Center for Sustainable Future Technologies@Polito, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Via Livorno, 60, 10144, Torino, TO, Italy
- Department of Applied Science and Technology (DISAT), Politecnico di Torino, corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129, Torino, Italy
| | - Marco Fontana
- Center for Sustainable Future Technologies@Polito, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Via Livorno, 60, 10144, Torino, TO, Italy
- Department of Applied Science and Technology (DISAT), Politecnico di Torino, corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129, Torino, Italy
| | - Angelica Chiodoni
- Center for Sustainable Future Technologies@Polito, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Via Livorno, 60, 10144, Torino, TO, Italy
| | - Joscha Kruse
- CIC nanoGUNE BRTA, Tolosa Hiribidea 76, 20018, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
- Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC), Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 4, 20018, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Maiara Aime Iriarte-Alonso
- CIC nanoGUNE BRTA, Tolosa Hiribidea 76, 20018, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
- TECNIPESA IDENTIFICACION SL, Parque Empresarial Zuatzu, Edificio Donosti 1-3, 20018, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Marek Grzelczak
- Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC), Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 4, 20018, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
- Centro de Física de Materiales CSIC-UPV/EHU, Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 5, 20018, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Andreas Seifert
- CIC nanoGUNE BRTA, Tolosa Hiribidea 76, 20018, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Plaza Euskadi 5, 48009, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Andrey Chuvilin
- CIC nanoGUNE BRTA, Tolosa Hiribidea 76, 20018, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Plaza Euskadi 5, 48009, Bilbao, Spain
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3
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Park J, Jeong H, Noh N, Park JS, Ji S, Kang S, Huh Y, Hyun J, Yuk JM. Single-Molecule Graphene Liquid Cell Electron Microscopy for Instability of Intermediate Amyloid Fibrils. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2309936. [PMID: 38016113 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202309936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Single-molecule techniques are powerful microscopy methods that provide new insights into biological processes. Liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy (LP-TEM) is an ideal single-molecule technique for overcoming the poor spatiotemporal resolution of optical approaches. However, single-molecule LP-TEM is limited by several challenges such as electron-beam-induced molecular damage, difficulty in identifying biomolecular species, and a lack of analytical approaches for conformational dynamics. Herein, a single-molecule graphene liquid-cell TEM (GLC-TEM) technique that enables the investigation of real-time structural perturbations of intact amyloid fibrils is presented. It is demonstrated that graphene membranes significantly extend the observation period of native amyloid beta proteins without causing oxidative damage owing to electron beams, which is necessary for imaging. Stochastic and time-resolved investigations of single fibrils reveal that structural perturbations in the early fibrillar stage are responsible for the formation of various amyloid polymorphs. The advantage of observing structural behavior in real time with unprecedented resolution will potentially make GLC-TEM a complementary approach to other single-molecule techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jungjae Park
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeongseop Jeong
- Electron Microscopy Research Center, Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI), Chungcheongbuk-do, Cheongju-si, 28119, Republic of Korea
| | - Namgyu Noh
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Su Park
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Sanghyeon Ji
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Kang
- Analysis and Assessment Research Center, Research Institute of Industrial Science and Technology (RIST), 67 Cheongam-ro, Nam-gu, Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon Huh
- Analysis and Assessment Research Center, Research Institute of Industrial Science and Technology (RIST), 67 Cheongam-ro, Nam-gu, Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaekyung Hyun
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, 2066 Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Min Yuk
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
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4
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Koo K, Li Z, Liu Y, Ribet SM, Fu X, Jia Y, Chen X, Shekhawat G, Smeets PJM, Dos Reis R, Park J, Yuk JM, Hu X, Dravid VP. Ultrathin silicon nitride microchip for in situ/operando microscopy with high spatial resolution and spectral visibility. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadj6417. [PMID: 38232154 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj6417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Utilization of in situ/operando methods with broad beams and localized probes has accelerated our understanding of fluid-surface interactions in recent decades. The closed-cell microchips based on silicon nitride (SiNx) are widely used as "nanoscale reactors" inside the high-vacuum electron microscopes. However, the field has been stalled by the high background scattering from encapsulation (typically ~100 nanometers) that severely limits the figures of merit for in situ performance. This adverse effect is particularly notorious for gas cell as the sealing membranes dominate the overall scattering, thereby blurring any meaningful signals and limiting the resolution. Herein, we show that by adopting the back-supporting strategy, encapsulating membrane can be reduced substantially, down to ~10 nanometers while maintaining structural resiliency. The systematic gas cell work demonstrates advantages in figures of merit for hitherto the highest spatial resolution and spectral visibility. Furthermore, this strategy can be broadly adopted into other types of microchips, thus having broader impact beyond the in situ/operando fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunmo Koo
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- The NUANCE Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Zhiwei Li
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Internaional Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Yukun Liu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Internaional Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Stephanie M Ribet
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Internaional Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Xianbiao Fu
- Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Ying Jia
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- The NUANCE Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Xinqi Chen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- The NUANCE Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Gajendra Shekhawat
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- The NUANCE Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Paul J M Smeets
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- The NUANCE Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Roberto Dos Reis
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- The NUANCE Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Jungjae Park
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Min Yuk
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Xiaobing Hu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- The NUANCE Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Vinayak P Dravid
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- The NUANCE Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Internaional Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
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5
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Kang Z, Zhang J, Guo X, Mao Y, Yang Z, Kankala RK, Zhao P, Chen AZ. Observing the Evolution of Metal Oxides in Liquids. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2304781. [PMID: 37635095 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202304781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Metal oxides with diverse compositions and structures have garnered considerable interest from researchers in various reactions, which benefits from transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in determining their morphologies, phase, structural and chemical information. Recent breakthroughs have made liquid-phase TEM a promising imaging platform for tracking the dynamic structure, morphology, and composition evolution of metal oxides in solution under work conditions. Herein, this review introduces the recent advances in liquid cells, especially closed liquid cell chips. Subsequently, the recent progress including particle growth, phase transformation, self-assembly, core-shell nanostructure growth, and chemical etching are introduced. With the late technical advances in TEM and liquid cells, liquid-phase TEM is used to characterize many fundamental processes of metal oxides for CO2 reduction and water-splitting reactions. Finally, the outlook and challenges in this research field are discussed. It is believed this compilation inspires and stimulates more efforts in developing and utilizing in situ liquid-phase TEM for metal oxides at the atomic scale for different applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zewen Kang
- Institute of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Biochemical Technology, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, 361021, P. R. China
| | - Junyu Zhang
- Instrumental Analysis Center, Laboratory and Equipment Management Department, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, 361021, P. R. China
| | - Xiaohua Guo
- Instrumental Analysis Center, Laboratory and Equipment Management Department, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, 361021, P. R. China
| | - Yangfan Mao
- Instrumental Analysis Center, Laboratory and Equipment Management Department, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, 361021, P. R. China
| | - Zhimin Yang
- Instrumental Analysis Center, Laboratory and Equipment Management Department, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, 361021, P. R. China
| | - Ranjith Kumar Kankala
- Institute of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Biochemical Technology, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, 361021, P. R. China
| | - Peng Zhao
- Instrumental Analysis Center, Laboratory and Equipment Management Department, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, 361021, P. R. China
| | - Ai-Zheng Chen
- Institute of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Biochemical Technology, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, 361021, P. R. China
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6
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Koo K, Smeets PJM, Hu X, Dravid VP. Analytical In Situ Gas Transmission Electron Microscopy Enabled with Ultrathin Silicon Nitride Membranes. MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA, MICROBEAM ANALYSIS SOCIETY, MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 2023; 29:1597-1598. [PMID: 37613700 DOI: 10.1093/micmic/ozad067.820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kunmo Koo
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- The NUANCE Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Paul J M Smeets
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- The NUANCE Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Xiaobing Hu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- The NUANCE Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Vinayak P Dravid
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- The NUANCE Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
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7
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Cheng B, Ye E, Sun H, Wang H. Deep learning-assisted analysis of single molecule dynamics from liquid-phase electron microscopy. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 59:1701-1704. [PMID: 36692388 DOI: 10.1039/d2cc05354c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
We apply U-Net and UNet++ to analyze single-molecule movies obtained from liquid-phase electron microscopy. Neural networks allow full automation, and high throughput analysis of these low signal-to-noise ratio images, while achieving higher segmentation accuracy, and avoiding subjective errors as compared to the conventional threshold methods. The analysis enables the quantification of transient dynamics in chemical systems and the capture of rare intermediate states by resolving local conformational changes within a single molecule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Cheng
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Center for Spectroscopy, Beijing Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry & Physics of Ministry of Education, Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, National Biomedical Imaging Center, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
| | - Enze Ye
- College of Future Technology, National Biomedical Imaging Center, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China. .,Department of Electronic Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - He Sun
- College of Future Technology, National Biomedical Imaging Center, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
| | - Huan Wang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Center for Spectroscopy, Beijing Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry & Physics of Ministry of Education, Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, National Biomedical Imaging Center, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
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8
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Li M, Ling L. Visualizing Dynamic Environmental Processes in Liquid at Nanoscale via Liquid-Phase Electron Microscopy. ACS NANO 2022; 16:15503-15511. [PMID: 35969015 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c04246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Visualizing the structure and processes in liquids at the nanoscale is essential for understanding the fundamental mechanisms and underlying processes of environmental research. Cutting-edge progress of in situ liquid-phase (scanning) transmission electron microscopy (LP-S/TEM) and inferred possible applications are highlighted as a more and more indispensable tool for visualization of dynamic environmental processes in this Perspective. Advancements in nanofabrication technology, high-speed imaging, comprehensive detectors, and spectroscopy analysis have made it increasingly convenient to use LP S/TEM, thus providing an approach for visualization of direct and insightful scientific information with the exciting possibility of solving an increasing number of tricky environmental problems. This includes evaluating the transformation fate and path of contamination, assessing toxicology of nanomaterials, simulating solid surface corrosion processes in the environment, and observing water pollution control processes. Distinct nanoscale or even atomic understanding of the reaction would provide dependable and precise identification and quantification of contaminants in dynamic processes, thus facilitating trouble-tracing of environmental problems with amplifying complexity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meirong Li
- State Key Laboratory for Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Lan Ling
- State Key Laboratory for Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
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9
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Sung J, Bae Y, Park H, Kang S, Choi BK, Kim J, Park J. Liquid-Phase Transmission Electron Microscopy for Reliable In Situ Imaging of Nanomaterials. Annu Rev Chem Biomol Eng 2022; 13:167-191. [PMID: 35700529 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-chembioeng-092120-034534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy (LPTEM) is a powerful in situ visualization technique for directly characterizing nanomaterials in the liquid state. Despite its successful application in many fields, several challenges remain in achieving more accurate and reliable observations. We present LPTEM in chemical and biological applications, including studies for the morphological transformation and dynamics of nanoparticles, battery systems, catalysis, biomolecules, and organic systems. We describe the possible interactions and effects of the electron beam on specimens during observation and present sample-specific approaches to mitigate and control these electron-beam effects. We provide recent advances in achieving atomic-level resolution for liquid-phase investigation of structures anddynamics. Moreover, we discuss the development of liquid cell platforms and the introduction of machine-learning data processing for quantitative and objective LPTEM analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jongbaek Sung
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; , , , , , , .,Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yuna Bae
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; , , , , , , .,Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hayoung Park
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; , , , , , , .,Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungsu Kang
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; , , , , , , .,Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Back Kyu Choi
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; , , , , , , .,Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Joodeok Kim
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; , , , , , , .,Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jungwon Park
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; , , , , , , .,Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Institute of Engineering Research, College of Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Advanced Institutes of Convergence Technology, Seoul National University, Gwanggyo-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
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10
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Koo K, Ribet SM, Zhang C, Smeets PJM, Dos Reis R, Hu X, Dravid VP. Effects of the Encapsulation Membrane in Operando Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy. NANO LETTERS 2022; 22:4137-4144. [PMID: 35523204 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.2c00893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Nanoscale tailoring of catalytic materials and Li-battery alternatives has elevated the importance of in situ gas-phase electron microscopy. Such advanced techniques are often performed using an environmental cell inserted into a conventional S/TEM setup, as this method facilitates concurrent electrochemical and temperature stimulations in a convenient and cost-effective manner. However, these cells are made by encapsulating gas between two insulating membranes, which introduces additional electron scattering. We have evaluated strengths and limitations of the gas-phase E-cell S/TEM technique, both experimentally and through simulations, across a variety of practical parameters. We reveal the degradation of image quality in an E-cell setup from various components and explore opportunities to improve imaging quality through intelligent choice of experimental parameters. Our results underscore the benefits of using an E-cell STEM technique, due to its versatility and excellent ability to suppress the exotic contributions from the membrane device.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunmo Koo
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- The NUANCE Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Stephanie M Ribet
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- International Institute of Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Chi Zhang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Paul J M Smeets
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- The NUANCE Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Roberto Dos Reis
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- The NUANCE Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- International Institute of Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Xiaobing Hu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- The NUANCE Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Vinayak P Dravid
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- The NUANCE Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- International Institute of Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
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11
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Park J, Koo K, Noh N, Chang JH, Cheong JY, Dae KS, Park JS, Ji S, Kim ID, Yuk JM. Graphene Liquid Cell Electron Microscopy: Progress, Applications, and Perspectives. ACS NANO 2021; 15:288-308. [PMID: 33395264 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c10229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Graphene liquid cell electron microscopy (GLC-EM), a cutting-edge liquid-phase EM technique, has become a powerful tool to directly visualize wet biological samples and the microstructural dynamics of nanomaterials in liquids. GLC uses graphene sheets with a one carbon atom thickness as a viewing window and a liquid container. As a result, GLC facilitates atomic-scale observation while sustaining intact liquids inside an ultra-high-vacuum transmission electron microscopy chamber. Using GLC-EM, diverse scientific results have been recently reported in the material, colloidal, environmental, and life science fields. Here, the developments of GLC fabrications, such as first-generation veil-type cells, second-generation well-type cells, and third-generation liquid-flowing cells, are summarized. Moreover, recent GLC-EM studies on colloidal nanoparticles, battery electrodes, mineralization, and wet biological samples are also highlighted. Finally, the considerations and future opportunities associated with GLC-EM are discussed to offer broad understanding and insight on atomic-resolution imaging in liquid-state dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jungjae Park
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Kunmo Koo
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Namgyu Noh
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Joon Ha Chang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun Young Cheong
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyun Seong Dae
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Su Park
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Sanghyeon Ji
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Il-Doo Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Min Yuk
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
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