1
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Grieb T, Krause FF, Mehrtens T, Mahr C, Gerken B, Schowalter M, Freitag B, Rosenauer A. GaN atomic electric fields from a segmented STEM detector: Experiment and simulation. J Microsc 2024; 295:140-146. [PMID: 38372408 DOI: 10.1111/jmi.13276] [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: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Atomic electric fields in a thin GaN sample are measured with the centre-of-mass approach in 4D-scanning transmission electron microscopy (4D-STEM) using a 12-segmented STEM detector in a Spectra 300 microscope. The electric fields, charge density and potential are compared to simulations and an experimental measurement using a pixelated 4D-STEM detector. The segmented detector benefits from a high recording speed, which enables measurements at low radiation doses. However, there is measurement uncertainty due to the limited number of segments analysed in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Grieb
- Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Florian F Krause
- Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Thorsten Mehrtens
- Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Christoph Mahr
- Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Beeke Gerken
- Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Marco Schowalter
- Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Bert Freitag
- Thermo Fisher Scientific, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Andreas Rosenauer
- Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
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2
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MacLaren I, Frutos-Myro E, Zeltmann S, Ophus C. A method for crystallographic mapping of an alpha-beta titanium alloy with nanometre resolution using scanning precession electron diffraction and open-source software libraries. J Microsc 2024; 295:131-139. [PMID: 38353362 DOI: 10.1111/jmi.13275] [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: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
An approach for the crystallographic mapping of two-phase alloys on the nanoscale using a combination of scanned precession electron diffraction and open-source python libraries is introduced in this paper. This method is demonstrated using the example of a two-phase α/β titanium alloy. The data were recorded using a direct electron detector to collect the patterns, and recently developed algorithms to perform automated indexing and analyse the crystallography from the results. Very high-quality mapping is achieved at a 3 nm step size. The results show the expected Burgers orientation relationships between the α laths and β matrix, as well as the expected misorientations between α laths. A minor issue was found that one area was affected by 180° ambiguities in indexing occur due to this area being aligned too close to a zone axis of the α with twofold projection symmetry (not present in 3D) in the zero-order Laue Zone, and this should be avoided in data acquisition in the future. Nevertheless, this study demonstrates a good workflow for the analysis of nanocrystalline two- or multi-phase materials, which will be of widespread use in analysing two-phase titanium and other systems and how they evolve as a function of thermomechanical treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian MacLaren
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Enrique Frutos-Myro
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Steven Zeltmann
- National Center for Electron Microscopy, Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
- Platform for the Accelerated Realization, Analysis, and Discovery of Interface Materials (PARADIM), Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Colin Ophus
- National Center for Electron Microscopy, Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
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3
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Holm JD, Mansfield E. Transmission electron imaging and diffraction of asbestos fibers in a scanning electron microscope. ANALYTICAL METHODS : ADVANCING METHODS AND APPLICATIONS 2024; 16:4570-4581. [PMID: 38912607 DOI: 10.1039/d4ay00555d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
Test protocols for airborne clearance of asbestos abatement sites define the collection, imaging and quantification of asbestos with transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Since those protocols were developed 35 years ago, scanning electron microscope (SEM) capabilities have significantly improved and expanded, with improvements in image spatial resolution, elemental analysis, and transmission electron diffraction capabilities. This contribution demonstrates transmission electron imaging and diffraction using NIST Asbestos Standard Reference Materials and a conventional SEM to provide comparable identification and quantification capabilities in the SEM as the current regulatory methods based on TEM techniques. In particular, we demonstrate that the 0.53 nm layer line spacing that is characteristic of asbestos can be quantified using different detection methods, and that other identifying diffraction signatures of chrysotile are readily obtained. The results demonstrate a viable alternative to the current TEM-based methods for asbestos identification and classification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason D Holm
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Applied Chemicals and Materials Division, Boulder, CO, 80305, USA.
| | - Elisabeth Mansfield
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Applied Chemicals and Materials Division, Boulder, CO, 80305, USA.
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4
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Kucinski TM, Dhall R, Savitzky BH, Ophus C, Karkee R, Mishra A, Dervishi E, Kang JH, Lee CH, Yoo J, Pettes MT. Direct Measurement of the Thermal Expansion Coefficient of Epitaxial WSe 2 by Four-Dimensional Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy. ACS NANO 2024; 18:17725-17734. [PMID: 38935815 PMCID: PMC11238620 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c02996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Current reports of thermal expansion coefficients (TEC) of two-dimensional (2D) materials show large discrepancies that span orders of magnitude. Determining the TEC of any 2D material remains difficult due to approaches involving indirect measurement of samples that are atomically thin and optically transparent. We demonstrate a methodology to address this discrepancy and directly measure TEC of nominally monolayer epitaxial WSe2 using four-dimensional scanning transmission electron microscopy (4D-STEM). Experimentally, WSe2 from metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) was heated through a temperature range of 18-564 °C using a barrel-style heating sample holder to observe temperature-induced structural changes without additional alterations or destruction of the sample. By combining 4D-STEM measurements with quantitative structural analysis, the thermal expansion coefficient of nominally monolayer polycrystalline epitaxial 2D WSe2 was determined to be (3.5 ± 0.9) × 10-6 K-1 and (5.7 ± 2) × 10-5 K-1 for the in- and out-of-plane TEC, respectively, and (3.6 ± 0.2) × 10-5 K-1 for the unit cell volume TEC, in good agreement with historically determined values for bulk crystals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa M Kucinski
- Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies (CINT), Materials Physics and Applications Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, United States
- Nuclear Materials Science Group (MST-16), Materials and Technology Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, United States
| | - Rohan Dhall
- National Center for Electron Microscopy (NCEM), The Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Benjamin H Savitzky
- National Center for Electron Microscopy (NCEM), The Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Colin Ophus
- National Center for Electron Microscopy (NCEM), The Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Rijan Karkee
- Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies (CINT), Materials Physics and Applications Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, United States
| | - Avanish Mishra
- Physics and Chemistry of Materials Group (T-1), Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, United States
| | - Enkeleda Dervishi
- Electrochemistry and Corrosion Team, Sigma Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, United States
| | - Jung Hoon Kang
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Chul-Ho Lee
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinkyoung Yoo
- Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies (CINT), Materials Physics and Applications Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, United States
| | - Michael T Pettes
- Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies (CINT), Materials Physics and Applications Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, United States
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5
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Bae IT, Foran B, Paik H. Four dimensional-scanning transmission electron microscopy study on relationship between crystallographic orientation and spontaneous polarization in epitaxial BiFeO 3. Sci Rep 2024; 14:15513. [PMID: 38969691 PMCID: PMC11226628 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-66382-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Spontaneous polarization and crystallographic orientations within ferroelectric domains are investigated using an epitaxially grown BiFeO3 thin film under bi-axial tensile strain. Four dimensional-scanning transmission electron microscopy (4D-STEM) and atomic resolution STEM techniques revealed that the tensile strain applied is not enough to cause breakdown of equilibrium BiFeO3 symmetry (rhombohedral with space group: R3c). 4D-STEM data exhibit two types of BiFeO3 ferroelectric domains: one with projected polarization vector possessing out-of-plane component only, and the other with that consisting of both in-plane and out-of-plane components. For domains with only out-of-plane polarization, convergent beam electron diffraction (CBED) patterns exhibit "extra" Bragg's reflections (compared to CBED of cubic-perovskite) that indicate rhombohedral symmetry. In addition, beam damage effects on ferroelectric property measurements were investigated by systematically changing electron energy from 60 to 300 keV.
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Affiliation(s)
- In-Tae Bae
- Microeletronics Technology Department, The Aerospace Corporation, El Segundo, CA, 90245, USA.
| | - Brendan Foran
- Microeletronics Technology Department, The Aerospace Corporation, El Segundo, CA, 90245, USA
| | - Hanjong Paik
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
- Center for Quantum Research and Technology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
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6
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Seifer S, Kirchweger P, Edel KM, Elbaum M. Optimizing Contrast in Automated 4D STEM Cryotomography. MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA, MICROBEAM ANALYSIS SOCIETY, MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 2024; 30:476-488. [PMID: 38885145 DOI: 10.1093/mam/ozae050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
4D STEM is an emerging approach to electron microscopy. While it was developed principally for high-resolution studies in materials science, the possibility to collect the entire transmitted flux makes it attractive for cryomicroscopy in application to life science and radiation-sensitive materials where dose efficiency is of utmost importance. We present a workflow to acquire tomographic tilt series of 4D STEM data sets using a segmented diode and an ultrafast pixelated detector, demonstrating the methods using a specimen of a T4 bacteriophage. Full integration with the SerialEM platform conveniently provides all the tools for grid navigation and automation of the data collection. Scripts are provided to convert the raw data to mrc format files and further to generate a variety of modes representing both scattering and phase contrasts, including incoherent and annular bright field, integrated center of mass, and parallax decomposition of a simulated integrated differential phase contrast. Principal component analysis of virtual annular detectors proves particularly useful, and axial contrast is improved by 3D deconvolution with an optimized point spread function. Contrast optimization enables visualization of irregular features such as DNA strands and thin filaments of the phage tails, which would be lost upon averaging or imposition of an inappropriate symmetry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahar Seifer
- Department of Chemical and Biological Physics, Weizmann Institute of Science, 234 Herzl St, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Peter Kirchweger
- Department of Chemical and Biological Physics, Weizmann Institute of Science, 234 Herzl St, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Karlina Maria Edel
- Department of Chemical and Biological Physics, Weizmann Institute of Science, 234 Herzl St, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Michael Elbaum
- Department of Chemical and Biological Physics, Weizmann Institute of Science, 234 Herzl St, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
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7
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Alus L, Houben L, Shaked N, Niazov-Elkan A, Pinkas I, Oron D, Addadi L. Bio-Inspired Crystalline Core-Shell Guanine Spherulites. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2308832. [PMID: 38722270 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202308832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Spherical particles with diameters within the wavelength of visible light, known as spherulites, manipulate light uniquely due to their spatial organization and their structural birefringence. Most of the known crystalline spherulites are branched, and composed of metals, alloys, and semi-crystalline polymers. Recently, a different spherulite architecture is discovered in the vision systems of decapod crustaceans - core-shell spherulites composed of highly birefringent (Δ n ≈ 30 % $\Delta n \approx \ 30\%$ ) organic single-crystal platelets, with exceptional optical properties. These metastructures, which efficiently scatter light even in dense aqueous environments, have no synthetic equivalence and serve as a natural proof-of-concept as well as synthetic inspiration for thin scattering media. Here, the synthesis of core-shell spherulites composed of guanine crystal platelets ((Δ n ≈ 25 % $\Delta n \approx 25\%$ ) is presented in a two-step emulsification process in which a water/oil/water emulsion and induced pH changes are used to promote interfacial crystallization. Carboxylic acids neutralize the dissolved guanine salts to form spherulites composed of single, radially stacked, β-guanine platelets, which are oriented tangentially to the spherulite surface. Using Mie theory calculations and forward scattering measurements from single spherulites, it is found that due to the single-crystal properties and orientation, the synthetic spherulites possess a high tangential refractive index, similarly to biogenic particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lotem Alus
- Department of Chemical and Structural Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
- Department of Molecular Chemistry and Materials Science, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
| | - Lothar Houben
- Department of Chemical Research Support, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
| | - Noy Shaked
- Department of Chemical and Structural Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
| | - Angelica Niazov-Elkan
- Department of Molecular Chemistry and Materials Science, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
| | - Iddo Pinkas
- Department of Chemical Research Support, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
| | - Dan Oron
- Department of Molecular Chemistry and Materials Science, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
| | - Lia Addadi
- Department of Chemical and Structural Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
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8
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Chen M, Bustillo KC, Patel V, Savitzky BH, Sternlicht H, Maslyn JA, Loo WS, Ciston J, Ophus C, Jiang X, Balsara NP, Minor AM. Direct Imaging of the Crystalline Domains and Their Orientation in the PS- b-PEO Block Copolymer with 4D-STEM. Macromolecules 2024; 57:5629-5638. [PMID: 38948181 PMCID: PMC11210284 DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.3c02231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
The arrangement of crystalline domains in semicrystalline polymers is key to understanding how to optimize the nanostructured morphology for enabling better properties. For example, in polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene oxide) (PS-b-PEO), the degree of crystallinity and arrangement of the crystallites within the PEO phase plays a crucial role in determining the physical properties of the electrolyte. Here, we used four-dimensional scanning transmission electron microscopy to directly visualize the crystal domains within the PEO-rich region of the PS-b-PEO block copolymer and show the relative angle of the domain with respect to the PEO-PS interface. As demonstrated here, our analysis method is applicable to other electron-beam sensitive materials, especially semicrystalline polymers, to unveil their local phase condition and distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Chen
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, University
of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Materials
Science Division, Lawrence Berkeley National
Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- National
Center for Electron Microscopy, Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Karen C. Bustillo
- National
Center for Electron Microscopy, Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Vivaan Patel
- Materials
Science Division, Lawrence Berkeley National
Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Benjamin H. Savitzky
- National
Center for Electron Microscopy, Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Hadas Sternlicht
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, University
of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- National
Center for Electron Microscopy, Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Jacqueline A. Maslyn
- Materials
Science Division, Lawrence Berkeley National
Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Whitney S. Loo
- Materials
Science Division, Lawrence Berkeley National
Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53706, United States
| | - Jim Ciston
- National
Center for Electron Microscopy, Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Colin Ophus
- National
Center for Electron Microscopy, Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Xi Jiang
- Materials
Science Division, Lawrence Berkeley National
Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Nitash P. Balsara
- Materials
Science Division, Lawrence Berkeley National
Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Andrew M. Minor
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, University
of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Materials
Science Division, Lawrence Berkeley National
Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- National
Center for Electron Microscopy, Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
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9
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Tsang CS, Zheng X, Ly TH, Zhao J. Recent progresses in transmission electron microscopy studies of two-dimensional ferroelectrics. Micron 2024; 185:103678. [PMID: 38941681 DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2024.103678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
The rich potential of two-dimensional materials endows them with superior properties suitable for a wide range of applications, thereby attracting substantial interest across various fields. The ongoing trend towards device miniaturization aligns with the development of materials at progressively smaller scales, aiming to achieve higher integration density in electronics. In the realm of nano-scaling ferroelectric phenomena, numerous new two-dimensional ferroelectric materials have been predicted theoretically and subsequently validated through experimental confirmation. However, the capabilities of conventional tools, such as electrical measurements, are limited in providing a comprehensive investigation into the intrinsic origins of ferroelectricity and its interactions with structural factors. These factors include stacking, doping, functionalization, and defects. Consequently, the progress of potential applications, such as high-density memory devices, energy conversion systems, sensing technologies, catalysis, and more, is impeded. In this paper, we present a review of recent research that employs advanced transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques for the direct visualization and analysis of ferroelectric domains, domain walls, and other crucial features at the atomic level within two-dimensional materials. We discuss the essential interplay between structural characteristics and ferroelectric properties on the nanoscale, which facilitates understanding of the complex relationships governing their behavior. By doing so, we aim to pave the way for future innovative applications in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi Shing Tsang
- Department of Applied Physics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China; Department of Chemistry and Center of Super-Diamond & Advanced Films (COSDAF), City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xiaodong Zheng
- Department of Applied Physics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Thuc Hue Ly
- Department of Chemistry and Center of Super-Diamond & Advanced Films (COSDAF), City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China; Department of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Jiong Zhao
- Department of Applied Physics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China; The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China; The Research Institute for Advanced Manufacturing, The Hong Kong polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
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10
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Li T, Deng S, Liu H, Chen J. Insights into Strain Engineering: From Ferroelectrics to Related Functional Materials and Beyond. Chem Rev 2024; 124:7045-7105. [PMID: 38754042 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Ferroelectrics have become indispensable components in various application fields, including information processing, energy harvesting, and electromechanical conversion, owing to their unique ability to exhibit electrically or mechanically switchable polarization. The distinct polar noncentrosymmetric lattices of ferroelectrics make them highly responsive to specific crystal structures. Even slight changes in the lattice can alter the polarization configuration and response to external fields. In this regard, strain engineering has emerged as a prevalent regulation approach that not only offers a versatile platform for structural and performance optimization within ferroelectrics but also unlocks boundless potential in various functional materials. In this review, we systematically summarize the breakthroughs in ferroelectric-based functional materials achieved through strain engineering and progress in method development. We cover research activities ranging from fundamental attributes to wide-ranging applications and novel functionalities ranging from electromechanical transformation in sensors and actuators to tunable dielectric materials and information technologies, such as transistors and nonvolatile memories. Building upon these achievements, we also explore the endeavors to uncover the unprecedented properties through strain engineering in related chemical functionalities, such as ferromagnetism, multiferroicity, and photoelectricity. Finally, through discussions on the prospects and challenges associated with strain engineering in the materials, this review aims to stimulate the development of new methods for strain regulation and performance boosting in functional materials, transcending the boundaries of ferroelectrics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyu Li
- Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Materials Genome Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Shiqing Deng
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Materials Genome Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Hui Liu
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Materials Genome Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Jun Chen
- Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Materials Genome Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
- Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
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11
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Maiden AM, Mei W, Li P. WASP: weighted average of sequential projections for ptychographic phase retrieval. OPTICS EXPRESS 2024; 32:21327-21344. [PMID: 38859489 DOI: 10.1364/oe.516946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
We introduce the weighted average of sequential projections, or WASP, an algorithm for ptychography. Using both simulations and real-world experiments, we test this new approach and compare performance against several alternative algorithms. These tests indicate that WASP effectively combines the benefits of its competitors, with a rapid initial convergence rate, robustness to noise and poor initial conditions, a small memory footprint, easy tuning, and the ability to reach a global minimum when provided with noiseless data. We also show how WASP can be parallelised to split operation across several different computation nodes.
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12
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Recalde-Benitez O, Pivak Y, Jiang T, Winkler R, Zintler A, Adabifiroozjaei E, Komissinskiy P, Alff L, Hubbard WA, Perez-Garza HH, Molina-Luna L. Weld-free mounting of lamellae for electrical biasing operando TEM. Ultramicroscopy 2024; 260:113939. [PMID: 38401296 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2024.113939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
Recent advances in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)-based substrates and sample holders for in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) are currently enabling exciting new opportunities for the nanoscale investigation of materials and devices. The ability to perform electrical testing while simultaneously capturing the wide spectrum of signals detectable in a TEM, including structural, chemical, and even electronic contrast, represents a significant milestone in the realm of nanoelectronics. In situ studies hold particular promise for the development of Metal-Insulator-Metal (MIM) devices for use in next-generation computing. However, achieving successful device operation in the TEM typically necessitates meticulous sample preparation involving focused ion beam (FIB) systems. Conducting contamination introduced during the FIB thinning process and subsequent attachment of the sample onto a MEMS-based chip remains a formidable challenge. This article delineates an improved FIB-based sample preparation methodology that results in good electrical connectivity and operational functionality across various MIM devices. To exemplify the efficacy of the sample preparation technique, we demonstrate preparation of a clean cross section extracted from a Au/Pt/BaSrTiO3/SrMoO3 tunable capacitor (varactor). The FIB-prepared TEM lamella mounted on a MEMS-based chip showed current levels in the tens of picoamperes range at 0.1 V. Furthermore, the electric response and current density of the TEM lamella device closely align with macro-scale devices. These samples exhibit comparable current densities to their macro-sized counterparts thus validating the sample preparation process and confirming device connectivity. The simultaneous operation and TEM characterization of electronic devices enabled by this process enables direct correlation between device structure and function, which could prove pivotal in the development of new MIM systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar Recalde-Benitez
- Advanced Electron Microscopy Division, Institute of Materials Science, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Peter-Grünberg-Straße 2, Darmstadt 64287, Germany
| | | | - Tianshu Jiang
- Advanced Electron Microscopy Division, Institute of Materials Science, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Peter-Grünberg-Straße 2, Darmstadt 64287, Germany
| | - Robert Winkler
- Advanced Electron Microscopy Division, Institute of Materials Science, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Peter-Grünberg-Straße 2, Darmstadt 64287, Germany
| | - Alexander Zintler
- Advanced Electron Microscopy Division, Institute of Materials Science, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Peter-Grünberg-Straße 2, Darmstadt 64287, Germany
| | - Esmaeil Adabifiroozjaei
- Advanced Electron Microscopy Division, Institute of Materials Science, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Peter-Grünberg-Straße 2, Darmstadt 64287, Germany
| | - Philipp Komissinskiy
- Advanced Thin Film Technology Division, Institute of Materials Science, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Peter-Grünberg-Straße 2, Darmstadt 64287, Germany
| | - Lambert Alff
- Advanced Thin Film Technology Division, Institute of Materials Science, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Peter-Grünberg-Straße 2, Darmstadt 64287, Germany
| | | | | | - Leopoldo Molina-Luna
- Advanced Electron Microscopy Division, Institute of Materials Science, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Peter-Grünberg-Straße 2, Darmstadt 64287, Germany.
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13
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Vlahakis N, Holton J, Sauter NK, Ercius P, Brewster AS, Rodriguez JA. 3D Nanocrystallography and the Imperfect Molecular Lattice. Annu Rev Phys Chem 2024; 75:483-508. [PMID: 38941528 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-physchem-083122-105226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
Crystallographic analysis relies on the scattering of quanta from arrays of atoms that populate a repeating lattice. While large crystals built of lattices that appear ideal are sought after by crystallographers, imperfections are the norm for molecular crystals. Additionally, advanced X-ray and electron diffraction techniques, used for crystallography, have opened the possibility of interrogating micro- and nanoscale crystals, with edges only millions or even thousands of molecules long. These crystals exist in a size regime that approximates the lower bounds for traditional models of crystal nonuniformity and imperfection. Accordingly, data generated by diffraction from both X-rays and electrons show increased complexity and are more challenging to conventionally model. New approaches in serial crystallography and spatially resolved electron diffraction mapping are changing this paradigm by better accounting for variability within and between crystals. The intersection of these methods presents an opportunity for a more comprehensive understanding of the structure and properties of nanocrystalline materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niko Vlahakis
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry; UCLA-DOE Institute for Genomics and Proteomics; and STROBE, NSF Science and Technology Center, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA;
| | - James Holton
- Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA;
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource, Stanford Linear Accelerator Center National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, California, USA
| | - Nicholas K Sauter
- Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA;
| | - Peter Ercius
- National Center for Electron Microscopy, Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA;
| | - Aaron S Brewster
- Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA;
| | - Jose A Rodriguez
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry; UCLA-DOE Institute for Genomics and Proteomics; and STROBE, NSF Science and Technology Center, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA;
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14
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Bugnet M, Löffler S, Ederer M, Kepaptsoglou DM, Ramasse QM. Current opinion on the prospect of mapping electronic orbitals in the transmission electron microscope: State of the art, challenges and perspectives. J Microsc 2024. [PMID: 38818951 DOI: 10.1111/jmi.13321] [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: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
The concept of electronic orbitals has enabled the understanding of a wide range of physical and chemical properties of solids through the definition of, for example, chemical bonding between atoms. In the transmission electron microscope, which is one of the most used and powerful analytical tools for high-spatial-resolution analysis of solids, the accessible quantity is the local distribution of electronic states. However, the interpretation of electronic state maps at atomic resolution in terms of electronic orbitals is far from obvious, not always possible, and often remains a major hurdle preventing a better understanding of the properties of the system of interest. In this review, the current state of the art of the experimental aspects for electronic state mapping and its interpretation as electronic orbitals is presented, considering approaches that rely on elastic and inelastic scattering, in real and reciprocal spaces. This work goes beyond resolving spectral variations between adjacent atomic columns, as it aims at providing deeper information about, for example, the spatial or momentum distributions of the states involved. The advantages and disadvantages of existing experimental approaches are discussed, while the challenges to overcome and future perspectives are explored in an effort to establish the current state of knowledge in this field. The aims of this review are also to foster the interest of the scientific community and to trigger a global effort to further enhance the current analytical capabilities of transmission electron microscopy for chemical bonding and electronic structure analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Bugnet
- CNRS, INSA Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, MATEIS, UMR 5510, Villeurbanne, France
- SuperSTEM Laboratory, SciTech Daresbury Campus, Daresbury, UK
- School of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - S Löffler
- University Service Centre for Transmission Electron Microscopy, TU Wien, Wien, Austria
| | - M Ederer
- University Service Centre for Transmission Electron Microscopy, TU Wien, Wien, Austria
| | - D M Kepaptsoglou
- SuperSTEM Laboratory, SciTech Daresbury Campus, Daresbury, UK
- School of Physics, Engineering and Technology, University of York, York, UK
| | - Q M Ramasse
- SuperSTEM Laboratory, SciTech Daresbury Campus, Daresbury, UK
- School of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
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15
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Zhan Z, Liu Y, Wang W, Du G, Cai S, Wang P. Atomic-level imaging of beam-sensitive COFs and MOFs by low-dose electron microscopy. NANOSCALE HORIZONS 2024; 9:900-933. [PMID: 38512352 DOI: 10.1039/d3nh00494e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Electron microscopy, an important technique that allows for the precise determination of structural information with high spatiotemporal resolution, has become indispensable in unravelling the complex relationships between material structure and properties ranging from mesoscale morphology to atomic arrangement. However, beam-sensitive materials, particularly those comprising organic components such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs), would suffer catastrophic damage from the high energy electrons, hindering the determination of atomic structures. A low-dose approach has arisen as a possible solution to this problem based on the integration of advancements in several aspects: electron optical system, detector, image processing, and specimen preservation. This article summarizes the transmission electron microscopy characterization of MOFs and COFs, including local structures, host-guest interactions, and interfaces at the atomic level. Revolutions in advanced direct electron detectors, algorithms in image acquisition and processing, and emerging methodology for high quality low-dose imaging are also reviewed. Finally, perspectives on the future development of electron microscopy methodology with the support of computer science are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Zhan
- Department of Applied Physics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon 999077, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Yuxin Liu
- Department of Applied Physics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon 999077, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Weizhen Wang
- Department of Applied Physics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon 999077, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Guangyu Du
- Department of Applied Physics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon 999077, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Songhua Cai
- Department of Applied Physics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon 999077, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Peng Wang
- Department of Physics, University of Warwick, CV4 7AL, Coventry, UK.
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16
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Folastre N, Cao J, Oney G, Park S, Jamali A, Masquelier C, Croguennec L, Veron M, Rauch EF, Demortière A. Improved ACOM pattern matching in 4D-STEM through adaptive sub-pixel peak detection and image reconstruction. Sci Rep 2024; 14:12385. [PMID: 38811806 PMCID: PMC11137144 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63060-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
The technique known as 4D-STEM has recently emerged as a powerful tool for the local characterization of crystalline structures in materials, such as cathode materials for Li-ion batteries or perovskite materials for photovoltaics. However, the use of new detectors optimized for electron diffraction patterns and other advanced techniques requires constant adaptation of methodologies to address the challenges associated with crystalline materials. In this study, we present a novel image-processing method to improve pattern matching in the determination of crystalline orientations and phases. Our approach uses sub-pixel adaptive image processing to register and reconstruct electron diffraction signals in large 4D-STEM datasets. By using adaptive prominence and linear filters, we can improve the quality of the diffraction pattern registration. The resulting data compression rate of 103 is well-suited for the era of big data and provides a significant enhancement in the performance of the entire ACOM data processing method. Our approach is evaluated using dedicated metrics, which demonstrate a high improvement in phase recognition. Several features are extracted from the registered data to map properties such as the spot count, and various virtual dark fields, which are used to enhance the handling of the results maps. Our results demonstrate that this data preparation method not only enhances the quality of the resulting image but also boosts the confidence level in the analysis of the outcomes related to determining crystal orientation and phase. Additionally, it mitigates the impact of user bias that may occur during the application of the method through the manipulation of parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Folastre
- Laboratoire de Réactivité et Chimie des Solides (LRCS), CNRS-UPJV UMR 7314, Hub de l'Energie, rue Baudelocque, 80039, Amiens Cedex, France
- Réseau sur le Stockage Electrochimique de l'Energie (RS2E), CNRS FR 3459, Hub de l'Energie, rue Baudelocque, 80039, Amiens Cedex, France
| | - Junhao Cao
- Laboratoire de Réactivité et Chimie des Solides (LRCS), CNRS-UPJV UMR 7314, Hub de l'Energie, rue Baudelocque, 80039, Amiens Cedex, France
- Réseau sur le Stockage Electrochimique de l'Energie (RS2E), CNRS FR 3459, Hub de l'Energie, rue Baudelocque, 80039, Amiens Cedex, France
| | - Gozde Oney
- Laboratoire de Réactivité et Chimie des Solides (LRCS), CNRS-UPJV UMR 7314, Hub de l'Energie, rue Baudelocque, 80039, Amiens Cedex, France
- Institut de Chimie de la Matière Condensée de Bordeaux (ICMCB), Bordeaux, France
- Réseau sur le Stockage Electrochimique de l'Energie (RS2E), CNRS FR 3459, Hub de l'Energie, rue Baudelocque, 80039, Amiens Cedex, France
| | - Sunkyu Park
- Laboratoire de Réactivité et Chimie des Solides (LRCS), CNRS-UPJV UMR 7314, Hub de l'Energie, rue Baudelocque, 80039, Amiens Cedex, France
- Institut de Chimie de la Matière Condensée de Bordeaux (ICMCB), Bordeaux, France
| | - Arash Jamali
- Laboratoire de Réactivité et Chimie des Solides (LRCS), CNRS-UPJV UMR 7314, Hub de l'Energie, rue Baudelocque, 80039, Amiens Cedex, France
| | - Christian Masquelier
- Laboratoire de Réactivité et Chimie des Solides (LRCS), CNRS-UPJV UMR 7314, Hub de l'Energie, rue Baudelocque, 80039, Amiens Cedex, France
- Réseau sur le Stockage Electrochimique de l'Energie (RS2E), CNRS FR 3459, Hub de l'Energie, rue Baudelocque, 80039, Amiens Cedex, France
- ALISTORE-European Research Institute, CNRS FR 3104, Hub de l'Energie, rue Baudelocque, 80039, Amiens Cedex, France
| | - Laurence Croguennec
- Institut de Chimie de la Matière Condensée de Bordeaux (ICMCB), Bordeaux, France
- Réseau sur le Stockage Electrochimique de l'Energie (RS2E), CNRS FR 3459, Hub de l'Energie, rue Baudelocque, 80039, Amiens Cedex, France
- ALISTORE-European Research Institute, CNRS FR 3104, Hub de l'Energie, rue Baudelocque, 80039, Amiens Cedex, France
| | - Muriel Veron
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Grenoble INP, SIMAP, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Edgar F Rauch
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Grenoble INP, SIMAP, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Arnaud Demortière
- Laboratoire de Réactivité et Chimie des Solides (LRCS), CNRS-UPJV UMR 7314, Hub de l'Energie, rue Baudelocque, 80039, Amiens Cedex, France.
- Réseau sur le Stockage Electrochimique de l'Energie (RS2E), CNRS FR 3459, Hub de l'Energie, rue Baudelocque, 80039, Amiens Cedex, France.
- ALISTORE-European Research Institute, CNRS FR 3104, Hub de l'Energie, rue Baudelocque, 80039, Amiens Cedex, France.
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17
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Hu H, Yang R, Zeng Z. Advances in Electrochemical Liquid-Phase Transmission Electron Microscopy for Visualizing Rechargeable Battery Reactions. ACS NANO 2024; 18:12598-12609. [PMID: 38723158 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c03319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
This review presents an overview of the application of electrochemical liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy (ELP-TEM) in visualizing rechargeable battery reactions. The technique provides atomic-scale spatial resolution and real-time temporal resolution, enabling direct observation and analysis of battery materials and processes under realistic working conditions. The review highlights key findings and insights obtained by ELP-TEM on the electrochemical reaction mechanisms and discusses the current limitations and future prospects of ELP-TEM, including improvements in spatial and temporal resolution and the expansion of the scope of materials and systems that can be studied. Furthermore, the review underscores the critical role of ELP-TEM in understanding and optimizing the design and fabrication of high-performance, long-lasting rechargeable batteries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Honglu Hu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering and State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruijie Yang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering and State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, People's Republic of China
- Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive, NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Zhiyuan Zeng
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering and State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, People's Republic of China
- Shenzhen Research Institute, City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518057, People's Republic of China
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18
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Liu Y, Xie H, Li Z, Dos Reis R, Li J, Hu X, Meza P, AlMalki M, Snyder GJ, Grayson MA, Wolverton C, Kanatzidis MG, Dravid VP. Implications and Optimization of Domain Structures in IV-VI High-Entropy Thermoelectric Materials. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:12620-12635. [PMID: 38669614 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c01688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
High-entropy semiconductors are now an important class of materials widely investigated for thermoelectric applications. Understanding the impact of chemical and structural heterogeneity on transport properties in these compositionally complex systems is essential for thermoelectric design. In this work, we uncover the polar domain structures in the high-entropy PbGeSnSe1.5Te1.5 system and assess their impact on thermoelectric properties. We found that polar domains induced by crystal symmetry breaking give rise to well-structured alternating strain fields. These fields effectively disrupt phonon propagation and suppress the thermal conductivity. We demonstrate that the polar domain structures can be modulated by tuning crystal symmetry through entropy engineering in PbGeSnAgxSbxSe1.5+xTe1.5+x. Incremental increases in the entropy enhance the crystal symmetry of the system, which suppresses domain formation and loses its efficacy in suppressing phonon propagation. As a result, the room-temperature lattice thermal conductivity increases from κL = 0.63 Wm-1 K-1 (x = 0) to 0.79 Wm-1 K-1 (x = 0.10). In the meantime, the increase in crystal symmetry, however, leads to enhanced valley degeneracy and improves the weighted mobility from μw = 29.6 cm2 V-1 s-1 (x = 0) to 35.8 cm2 V-1 s-1 (x = 0.10). As such, optimal thermoelectric performance can be achieved through entropy engineering by balancing weighted mobility and lattice thermal conductivity. This work, for the first time, studies the impact of polar domain structures on thermoelectric properties, and the developed understanding of the intricate interplay between crystal symmetry, polar domains, and transport properties, along with the impact of entropy control, provides valuable insights into designing GeTe-based high-entropy thermoelectrics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukun Liu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- International Institute of Nanotechnology (IIN), Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Hongyao Xie
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Zhi Li
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Roberto Dos Reis
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- International Institute of Nanotechnology (IIN), Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Juncen Li
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Xiaobing Hu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Paty Meza
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Muath AlMalki
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 1261, Saudi Arabia
| | - G Jeffrey Snyder
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Matthew A Grayson
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Christopher Wolverton
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- International Institute of Nanotechnology (IIN), Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Mercouri G Kanatzidis
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- International Institute of Nanotechnology (IIN), Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Vinayak P Dravid
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- International Institute of Nanotechnology (IIN), Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
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19
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Jeong C, Lee J, Jo H, Oh J, Baik H, Go KJ, Son J, Choi SY, Prosandeev S, Bellaiche L, Yang Y. Revealing the three-dimensional arrangement of polar topology in nanoparticles. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3887. [PMID: 38719801 PMCID: PMC11078976 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48082-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
In the early 2000s, low dimensional ferroelectric systems were predicted to have topologically nontrivial polar structures, such as vortices or skyrmions, depending on mechanical or electrical boundary conditions. A few variants of these structures have been experimentally observed in thin film model systems, where they are engineered by balancing electrostatic charge and elastic distortion energies. However, the measurement and classification of topological textures for general ferroelectric nanostructures have remained elusive, as it requires mapping the local polarization at the atomic scale in three dimensions. Here we unveil topological polar structures in ferroelectric BaTiO3 nanoparticles via atomic electron tomography, which enables us to reconstruct the full three-dimensional arrangement of cation atoms at an individual atom level. Our three-dimensional polarization maps reveal clear topological orderings, along with evidence of size-dependent topological transitions from a single vortex structure to multiple vortices, consistent with theoretical predictions. The discovery of the predicted topological polar ordering in nanoscale ferroelectrics, independent of epitaxial strain, widens the research perspective and offers potential for practical applications utilizing contact-free switchable toroidal moments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaehwa Jeong
- Department of Physics, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Juhyeok Lee
- Department of Physics, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
- Energy Geosciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- National Center for Electron Microscopy, Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Hyesung Jo
- Department of Physics, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaewhan Oh
- Department of Physics, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Hionsuck Baik
- Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI), Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyoung-June Go
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Junwoo Son
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Research Institute of Advanced Materials, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Si-Young Choi
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
- Center for Van der Waals Quantum Solids, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Sergey Prosandeev
- Smart Ferroic Materials Center (SFMC), Physics Department and Institute for Nanoscience and Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, 72701, USA
| | - Laurent Bellaiche
- Smart Ferroic Materials Center (SFMC), Physics Department and Institute for Nanoscience and Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, 72701, USA
| | - Yongsoo Yang
- Department of Physics, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea.
- Graduate School of Semiconductor Technology, School of Electrical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea.
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20
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Robinson AW, Moshtaghpour A, Wells J, Nicholls D, Chi M, MacLaren I, Kirkland AI, Browning ND. High-speed 4-dimensional scanning transmission electron microscopy using compressive sensing techniques. J Microsc 2024. [PMID: 38711338 DOI: 10.1111/jmi.13315] [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: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Here we show that compressive sensing allows 4-dimensional (4-D) STEM data to be obtained and accurately reconstructed with both high-speed and reduced electron fluence. The methodology needed to achieve these results compared to conventional 4-D approaches requires only that a random subset of probe locations is acquired from the typical regular scanning grid, which immediately generates both higher speed and the lower fluence experimentally. We also consider downsampling of the detector, showing that oversampling is inherent within convergent beam electron diffraction (CBED) patterns and that detector downsampling does not reduce precision but allows faster experimental data acquisition. Analysis of an experimental atomic resolution yttrium silicide dataset shows that it is possible to recover over 25 dB peak signal-to-noise ratio in the recovered phase using 0.3% of the total data. Lay abstract: Four-dimensional scanning transmission electron microscopy (4-D STEM) is a powerful technique for characterizing complex nanoscale structures. In this method, a convergent beam electron diffraction pattern (CBED) is acquired at each probe location during the scan of the sample. This means that a 2-dimensional signal is acquired at each 2-D probe location, equating to a 4-D dataset. Despite the recent development of fast direct electron detectors, some capable of 100kHz frame rates, the limiting factor for 4-D STEM is acquisition times in the majority of cases, where cameras will typically operate on the order of 2kHz. This means that a raster scan containing 256^2 probe locations can take on the order of 30s, approximately 100-1000 times longer than a conventional STEM imaging technique using monolithic radial detectors. As a result, 4-D STEM acquisitions can be subject to adverse effects such as drift, beam damage, and sample contamination. Recent advances in computational imaging techniques for STEM have allowed for faster acquisition speeds by way of acquiring only a random subset of probe locations from the field of view. By doing this, the acquisition time is significantly reduced, in some cases by a factor of 10-100 times. The acquired data is then processed to fill-in or inpaint the missing data, taking advantage of the inherently low-complex signals which can be linearly combined to recover the information. In this work, similar methods are demonstrated for the acquisition of 4-D STEM data, where only a random subset of CBED patterns are acquired over the raster scan. We simulate the compressive sensing acquisition method for 4-D STEM and present our findings for a variety of analysis techniques such as ptychography and differential phase contrast. Our results show that acquisition times can be significantly reduced on the order of 100-300 times, therefore improving existing frame rates, as well as further reducing the electron fluence beyond just using a faster camera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex W Robinson
- Department of Mechanical, Materials and Aerospace Engineering, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- SenseAI Innovations Ltd., University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Amirafshar Moshtaghpour
- Department of Mechanical, Materials and Aerospace Engineering, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Correlated Imaging Group, Rosalind Franklin Institute, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, UK
| | - Jack Wells
- SenseAI Innovations Ltd., University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Distributed Algorithms Centre for Doctoral Training, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Daniel Nicholls
- Department of Mechanical, Materials and Aerospace Engineering, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- SenseAI Innovations Ltd., University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Miaofang Chi
- Chemical Science Division, Centre for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA
| | - Ian MacLaren
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Angus I Kirkland
- Correlated Imaging Group, Rosalind Franklin Institute, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, UK
- Department of Materials, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Nigel D Browning
- Department of Mechanical, Materials and Aerospace Engineering, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- SenseAI Innovations Ltd., University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
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21
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Nero M, Ali H, Li Y, Willhammar T. The Nanoscale Ordering of Cellulose in a Hierarchically Structured Hybrid Material Revealed Using Scanning Electron Diffraction. SMALL METHODS 2024; 8:e2301304. [PMID: 38072622 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202301304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Cellulose, being a renewable and abundant biopolymer, has garnered significant attention for its unique properties and potential applications in hybrid materials. Understanding the hierarchical arrangement of cellulose nanofibers is crucial for developing cellulose-based materials with enhanced mechanical properties. In this study, the use of Scanning Electron Diffraction (SED) is presented to map the nanoscale orientation of cellulose fibers in a bio-composite material with a preserved wood cell structure. The SED data provides detailed insights into the ordering of cellulose with an extraordinary resolution of ≈15 nm. It enables a quantitative analysis of the fiber orientation over regions as large as entire cells. A highly organized arrangement of cellulose fibers within the secondary cell wall is observed, with a gradient of orientations toward the outer part of the wall. The in-plane fiber rotation is quantified, revealing a uniform orientation close to the middle lamella. Transversely sectioned material exhibits similar trends, suggesting a layered cell wall structure. Based on the SED data, a 3D model depicting the complex helical alignment of fibers throughout the cell wall is constructed. This study demonstrates the unique opportunities SED provides for characterizing the nanoscale hierarchical arrangement of cellulose nanofibers, empowering further research on a range of hybrid materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias Nero
- Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Stockholm University, Stockholm, SE-106 91, Sweden
| | - Hasan Ali
- Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Stockholm University, Stockholm, SE-106 91, Sweden
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Uppsala University, Uppsala, SE-751 21, Sweden
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- Wallenberg Wood Science Center, Department of Fibre and Polymer Technology, Royal Institute of Technology, KTH, Stockholm, SE-100 44, Sweden
| | - Tom Willhammar
- Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Stockholm University, Stockholm, SE-106 91, Sweden
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22
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Şentürk DG, De Backer A, Van Aert S. Element specific atom counting for heterogeneous nanostructures: Combining multiple ADF STEM images for simultaneous thickness and composition determination. Ultramicroscopy 2024; 259:113941. [PMID: 38387236 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2024.113941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
In this paper, a methodology is presented to count the number of atoms in heterogeneous nanoparticles based on the combination of multiple annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy (ADF STEM) images. The different non-overlapping annular detector collection regions are selected based on the principles of optimal statistical experiment design for the atom-counting problem. To count the number of atoms, the total intensities of scattered electrons for each atomic column, the so-called scattering cross-sections, are simultaneously compared with simulated library values for the different detector regions by minimising the squared differences. The performance of the method is evaluated for simulated Ni@Pt and Au@Ag core-shell nanoparticles. Our approach turns out to be a dose efficient alternative for the investigation of beam-sensitive heterogeneous materials as compared to the combination of ADF STEM and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- D G Şentürk
- Electron Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT), University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium; NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - A De Backer
- Electron Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT), University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium; NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - S Van Aert
- Electron Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT), University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium; NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium.
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23
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Corrêa LM, Ortega E, Ponce A, Cotta MA, Ugarte D. High precision orientation mapping from 4D-STEM precession electron diffraction data through quantitative analysis of diffracted intensities. Ultramicroscopy 2024; 259:113927. [PMID: 38330596 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2024.113927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
The association of scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and detection of a diffraction pattern at each probe position (so-called 4D-STEM) represents one of the most promising approaches to analyze structural properties of materials with nanometric resolution and low irradiation levels. This is widely used for texture analysis of materials using automated crystal orientation mapping (ACOM). Herein, we perform orientation mapping in InP nanowires exploiting precession electron diffraction (PED) patterns acquired by an axial CMOS camera. Crystal orientation is determined at each probe position by the quantitative analysis of diffracted intensities minimizing a residue comparing experiments and simulations in analogy to x-ray structural refinement. Our simulations are based on the two-beam dynamical diffraction approximation and yield a high angular precision (∼0.03°), much lower than the traditional ACOM based on pattern matching algorithms (∼1°). We anticipate that simultaneous exploration of both spot positions and high precision crystal misorientation will allow the exploration of the whole potentiality provided by PED-based 4D-STEM for the characterization of deformation fields in nanomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo M Corrêa
- Instituto de Fisica "Gleb Wataghin", Universidade Estadual de Campinas-UNICAMP, 13083-859 Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Ortega
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Texas, San Antonio, TX 78249, United States
| | - Arturo Ponce
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Texas, San Antonio, TX 78249, United States
| | - Mônica A Cotta
- Instituto de Fisica "Gleb Wataghin", Universidade Estadual de Campinas-UNICAMP, 13083-859 Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Daniel Ugarte
- Instituto de Fisica "Gleb Wataghin", Universidade Estadual de Campinas-UNICAMP, 13083-859 Campinas, SP, Brazil.
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24
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Yang W, Sha H, Cui J, Mao L, Yu R. Local-orbital ptychography for ultrahigh-resolution imaging. NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY 2024; 19:612-617. [PMID: 38286877 DOI: 10.1038/s41565-023-01595-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
Technical advances paired with developments in methodology have enabled electron microscopy to reach atomic resolution. Further improving the information limit in microscopic imaging requires further improvements in methodology. Here we report a ptychographic method that describes the object as the sum of discrete atomic-orbital-like functions (for example, Gaussian functions) and the probe in terms of aberration functions. Using this method, we realize an improved information limit of microscopic imaging, reaching down to 14 pm. High-quality probes and objects contribute to superior signal-to-noise ratios at low electron doses, allowing for relaxation of the sample thickness restriction to 50 nm for dense materials. Additionally, our method has the capability to decompose the total phase into element components, revealing that the information limit is element dependent. With enhanced spatial resolution, signal-to-noise ratio and thickness threshold compared with conventional ptychography methods, our local-orbital ptychography may find applications in atomic-resolution imaging of metals, ceramics, electronic devices or beam-sensitive material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenfeng Yang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of New Ceramics and Fine Processing, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Haozhi Sha
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of New Ceramics and Fine Processing, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Jizhe Cui
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of New Ceramics and Fine Processing, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Liangze Mao
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of New Ceramics and Fine Processing, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Rong Yu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
- MOE Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
- State Key Laboratory of New Ceramics and Fine Processing, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
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25
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Park J, Dutta S, Sun H, Jo J, Karanth P, Weber D, Tavabi AH, Durmus YE, Dzieciol K, Jodat E, Karl A, Kungl H, Pivak Y, Garza HHP, George C, Mayer J, Dunin-Borkowski RE, Basak S, Eichel RA. Toward Quantitative Electrodeposition via In Situ Liquid Phase Transmission Electron Microscopy: Studying Electroplated Zinc Using Basic Image Processing and 4D STEM. SMALL METHODS 2024:e2400081. [PMID: 38686691 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202400081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
High energy density electrochemical systems such as metal batteries suffer from uncontrollable dendrite growth on cycling, which can severely compromise battery safety and longevity. This originates from the thermodynamic preference of metal nucleation on electrode surfaces, where obtaining the crucial information on metal deposits in terms of crystal orientation, plated volume, and growth rate is very challenging. In situ liquid phase transmission electron microscopy (LPTEM) is a promising technique to visualize and understand electrodeposition processes, however a detailed quantification of which presents significant difficulties. Here by performing Zn electroplating and analyzing the data via basic image processing, this work not only sheds new light on the dendrite growth mechanism but also demonstrates a workflow showcasing how dendritic deposition can be visualized with volumetric and growth rate information. These results along with additionally corroborated 4D STEM analysis take steps to access information on the crystallographic orientation of the grown Zn nucleates and toward live quantification of in situ electrodeposition processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junbeom Park
- Institute of Energy and Climate Research, Fundamental Electrochemistry (IEK-9), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425, Jülich, Germany
| | - Sarmila Dutta
- Institute of Energy and Climate Research, Fundamental Electrochemistry (IEK-9), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425, Jülich, Germany
| | - Hongyu Sun
- DENSsolutions B.V., Informaticalaan 12, Delft, 2628 ZD, Netherlands
| | - Janghyun Jo
- Ernst Ruska-Centre for Microscopy and Spectroscopy with Electrons and Peter Grünberg Institute, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425, Jülich, Germany
| | - Pranav Karanth
- Department of Radiation Science and Technology, Delft University of Technology, Mekelweg 15, Delft, 2629JB, Netherlands
| | - Dieter Weber
- Ernst Ruska-Centre for Microscopy and Spectroscopy with Electrons and Peter Grünberg Institute, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425, Jülich, Germany
| | - Amir H Tavabi
- Ernst Ruska-Centre for Microscopy and Spectroscopy with Electrons and Peter Grünberg Institute, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425, Jülich, Germany
| | - Yasin Emre Durmus
- Institute of Energy and Climate Research, Fundamental Electrochemistry (IEK-9), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425, Jülich, Germany
| | - Krzysztof Dzieciol
- Institute of Energy and Climate Research, Fundamental Electrochemistry (IEK-9), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425, Jülich, Germany
| | - Eva Jodat
- Institute of Energy and Climate Research, Fundamental Electrochemistry (IEK-9), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425, Jülich, Germany
| | - André Karl
- Institute of Energy and Climate Research, Fundamental Electrochemistry (IEK-9), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425, Jülich, Germany
| | - Hans Kungl
- Institute of Energy and Climate Research, Fundamental Electrochemistry (IEK-9), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425, Jülich, Germany
| | - Yevheniy Pivak
- DENSsolutions B.V., Informaticalaan 12, Delft, 2628 ZD, Netherlands
| | | | - Chandramohan George
- Dyson School of Design Engineering, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Joachim Mayer
- Ernst Ruska-Centre for Microscopy and Spectroscopy with Electrons and Peter Grünberg Institute, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425, Jülich, Germany
- Central Facility for Electron Microscopy (GFE), RWTH Aachen University, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Rafal E Dunin-Borkowski
- Ernst Ruska-Centre for Microscopy and Spectroscopy with Electrons and Peter Grünberg Institute, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425, Jülich, Germany
| | - Shibabrata Basak
- Institute of Energy and Climate Research, Fundamental Electrochemistry (IEK-9), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425, Jülich, Germany
| | - Rüdiger-A Eichel
- Institute of Energy and Climate Research, Fundamental Electrochemistry (IEK-9), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425, Jülich, Germany
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, 52074, Aachen, Germany
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26
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Ma Y, Shi J, Guzman R, Li A, Zhou W. Aberration Correction for Large-Angle Illumination Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy by Using Iterative Electron Ptychography Algorithms. MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA, MICROBEAM ANALYSIS SOCIETY, MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 2024; 30:226-235. [PMID: 38578297 DOI: 10.1093/mam/ozae027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Modern aberration correctors in the scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) have dramatically improved the attainable spatial resolution and enabled atomical structure and spectroscopic analysis even at low acceleration voltages (≤80 kV). For a large-angle illumination, achieving successful aberration correction to high angles is challenging with an aberration corrector, which limits further improvements in applications such as super-resolution, three-dimensional atomic depth resolution, or atomic surface morphology analyses. Electron ptychography based on four-dimensional STEM can provide a postprocessing strategy to overcome the current technological limitations. In this work, we have demonstrated that aberration correction for large-angle illumination is feasible by pushing the capabilities of regularized ptychographic iterative engine algorithms to reconstruct 4D data sets acquired using a relatively low-efficiency complementary metal oxide semiconductor camera. We report super resolution (0.71 Å) with large-angle illumination (50-60 mrad) and under 60 kV accelerating voltage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinhang Ma
- School of Physical Sciences and CAS Key Laboratory of Vacuum Physics, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Jinan Shi
- School of Physical Sciences and CAS Key Laboratory of Vacuum Physics, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Roger Guzman
- School of Physical Sciences and CAS Key Laboratory of Vacuum Physics, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Ang Li
- School of Physical Sciences and CAS Key Laboratory of Vacuum Physics, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Wu Zhou
- School of Physical Sciences and CAS Key Laboratory of Vacuum Physics, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
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27
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Liu C, Lin O, Pidaparthy S, Ni H, Lyu Z, Zuo JM, Chen Q. 4D-STEM Mapping of Nanocrystal Reaction Dynamics and Heterogeneity in a Graphene Liquid Cell. NANO LETTERS 2024; 24:3890-3897. [PMID: 38526426 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c05015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
Chemical reaction kinetics at the nanoscale are intertwined with heterogeneity in structure and composition. However, mapping such heterogeneity in a liquid environment is extremely challenging. Here we integrate graphene liquid cell (GLC) transmission electron microscopy and four-dimensional scanning transmission electron microscopy to image the etching dynamics of gold nanorods in the reaction media. Critical to our experiment is the small liquid thickness in a GLC that allows the collection of high-quality electron diffraction patterns at low dose conditions. Machine learning-based data-mining of the diffraction patterns maps the three-dimensional nanocrystal orientation, groups spatial domains of various species in the GLC, and identifies newly generated nanocrystallites during reaction, offering a comprehensive understanding on the reaction mechanism inside a nanoenvironment. This work opens opportunities in probing the interplay of structural properties such as phase and strain with solution-phase reaction dynamics, which is important for applications in catalysis, energy storage, and self-assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Liu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Oliver Lin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Saran Pidaparthy
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Haoyang Ni
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Zhiheng Lyu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Jian-Min Zuo
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Qian Chen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
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28
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Tan X, Bourgeois L, Nakashima PNH. Observations of specimen morphology effects on near-zone-axis convergent-beam electron diffraction patterns. J Appl Crystallogr 2024; 57:351-357. [PMID: 38596738 PMCID: PMC11001395 DOI: 10.1107/s1600576724001614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
This work presents observations of symmetry breakages in the intensity distributions of near-zone-axis convergent-beam electron diffraction (CBED) patterns that can only be explained by the symmetry of the specimen and not the symmetry of the unit cell describing the atomic structure of the material. The specimen is an aluminium-copper-tin alloy containing voids many tens of nanometres in size within continuous single crystals of the aluminium host matrix. Several CBED patterns where the incident beam enters and exits parallel void facets without the incident beam being perpendicular to these facets are examined. The symmetries in their intensity distributions are explained by the specimen morphology alone using a geometric argument based on the multislice theory. This work shows that it is possible to deduce nanoscale morphological information about the specimen in the direction of the electron beam - the elusive third dimension in transmission electron microscopy - from the inspection of CBED patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofen Tan
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang 330063, People’s Republic of China
| | - Laure Bourgeois
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia
- Monash Centre for Electron Microscopy, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Philip N. H. Nakashima
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia
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29
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Cooper D, Bruas L, Bryan M, Boureau V. Measuring electrical properties in semiconductor devices by pixelated STEM and off-axis electron holography (or convergent beams vs. plane waves). Micron 2024; 179:103594. [PMID: 38340549 DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2024.103594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
We demonstrate the use of both pixelated differential phase contrast (DPC) scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and off-axis electron holography (EH) for the measurement of electric fields and assess the advantages and limitations of each technique when applied to technologically relevant samples. Three different types of samples are examined, firstly a simple highly-doped Si pn junction. Then a SiGe superlattice is examined to evaluate the effects of the mean inner potential on the measured signal. Finally, an InGaN/GaN microwire light-emitting diode (LED) device is examined which has a polarization field, variations of mean inner potential and a wurtzite crystal lattice. We discuss aspects such as spatial resolution and sensitivity, and the concept of pseudo-field is defined. However, the most important point is the need to limit the influence of diffraction contrast to obtain accurate measurements. In this respect, the use of a plane electron wave for EH is clearly beneficial when compared to the use of a convergent beam for pixelated DPC STEM.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Cooper
- Universite Grenoble Alpes, CEA, LETI, F-38000 Grenoble, France.
| | - Lucas Bruas
- Universite Grenoble Alpes, CEA, LETI, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Matthew Bryan
- Universite Grenoble Alpes, CEA, LETI, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Victor Boureau
- Universite Grenoble Alpes, CEA, LETI, F-38000 Grenoble, France; Interdisciplinary Center for Electron Microscopy, EPFL, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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30
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Susana L, Gloter A, Tencé M, Zobelli A. Direct Quantifying Charge Transfer by 4D-STEM: A Study on Perfect and Defective Hexagonal Boron Nitride. ACS NANO 2024; 18:7424-7432. [PMID: 38408195 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c10299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Four-dimensional scanning transmission electron microscopy (4D-STEM) offers an attractive approach to simultaneously obtain precise structural determinations and capture details of local electric fields and charge densities. However, accurately extracting quantitative data at the atomic scale poses challenges, primarily due to probe propagation and size-related effects, which may even lead to misinterpretations of qualitative effects. In this study, we present a comprehensive analysis of electric fields and charge densities in both pristine and defective h-BN flakes. Through a combination of experiments and first-principle simulations, we demonstrate that while precise charge quantification at individual atomic sites is hindered by probe effects, 4D-STEM can directly measure charge transfer phenomena at the monolayer edge with sensitivity down to a few tenths of an electron and a spatial resolution on the order of a few angstroms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Susana
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Laboratoire de Physique des Solides, 91405 Orsay, France
| | - Alexandre Gloter
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Laboratoire de Physique des Solides, 91405 Orsay, France
| | - Marcel Tencé
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Laboratoire de Physique des Solides, 91405 Orsay, France
| | - Alberto Zobelli
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Laboratoire de Physique des Solides, 91405 Orsay, France
- Synchrotron SOLEIL, L'Orme des Merisiers, Saint-Aubin, BP 48, F-91192 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
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31
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Takaba K, Maki-Yonekura S, Inoue I, Tono K, Fukuda Y, Shiratori Y, Peng Y, Morimoto J, Inoue S, Higashino T, Sando S, Hasegawa T, Yabashi M, Yonekura K. Comprehensive Application of XFEL Microcrystallography for Challenging Targets in Various Organic Compounds. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:5872-5882. [PMID: 38415585 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c11523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
There is a growing demand for structure determination from small crystals, and the three-dimensional electron diffraction (3D ED) technique can be employed for this purpose. However, 3D ED has certain limitations related to the crystal thickness and data quality. We here present the application of serial X-ray crystallography (SX) with X-ray free electron lasers (XFELs) to small (a few μm or less) and thin (a few hundred nm or less) crystals of novel compounds dispersed on a substrate. For XFEL exposures, two-dimensional (2D) scanning of the substrate coupled with rotation enables highly efficient data collection. The recorded patterns can be successfully indexed using lattice parameters obtained through 3D ED. This approach is especially effective for challenging targets, including pharmaceuticals and organic materials that form preferentially oriented flat crystals in low-symmetry space groups. Some of these crystals have been difficult to solve or have yielded incomplete solutions using 3D ED. Our extensive analyses confirmed the superior quality of the SX data regardless of crystal orientations. Additionally, 2D scanning with XFEL pulses gives an overall distribution of the samples on the substrate, which can be useful for evaluating the properties of crystal grains and the quality of layered crystals. Therefore, this study demonstrates that XFEL crystallography has become a powerful tool for conducting structure studies of small crystals of organic compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiyofumi Takaba
- RIKEN SPring-8 Center, 1-1-1 Kouto, Sayo, Hyogo 679-5148, Japan
| | | | - Ichiro Inoue
- RIKEN SPring-8 Center, 1-1-1 Kouto, Sayo, Hyogo 679-5148, Japan
| | - Kensuke Tono
- RIKEN SPring-8 Center, 1-1-1 Kouto, Sayo, Hyogo 679-5148, Japan
- Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute, 1-1-1 Kouto, Sayo, Hyogo 679-5198, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Fukuda
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Yota Shiratori
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Yiying Peng
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Jumpei Morimoto
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Satoru Inoue
- Department of Applied Physics, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Toshiki Higashino
- Research Institute for Advanced Electronics and Photonics, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8565, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Sando
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Tatsuo Hasegawa
- Department of Applied Physics, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Makina Yabashi
- RIKEN SPring-8 Center, 1-1-1 Kouto, Sayo, Hyogo 679-5148, Japan
- Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute, 1-1-1 Kouto, Sayo, Hyogo 679-5198, Japan
| | - Koji Yonekura
- RIKEN SPring-8 Center, 1-1-1 Kouto, Sayo, Hyogo 679-5148, Japan
- Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
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32
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Craig IM, Van Winkle M, Groschner C, Zhang K, Dowlatshahi N, Zhu Z, Taniguchi T, Watanabe K, Griffin SM, Bediako DK. Local atomic stacking and symmetry in twisted graphene trilayers. NATURE MATERIALS 2024; 23:323-330. [PMID: 38191631 DOI: 10.1038/s41563-023-01783-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Moiré superlattices formed by twisting trilayers of graphene are a useful model for studying correlated electron behaviour and offer several advantages over their formative bilayer analogues, including a more diverse collection of correlated phases and more robust superconductivity. Spontaneous structural relaxation alters the behaviour of moiré superlattices considerably and has been suggested to play an important role in the relative stability of superconductivity in trilayers. Here we use an interferometric four-dimensional scanning transmission electron microscopy approach to directly probe the local graphene layer alignment over a wide range of trilayer graphene structures. Our results inform a thorough understanding of how reconstruction modulates the local lattice symmetries crucial for establishing correlated phases in twisted graphene trilayers, evincing a relaxed structure that is markedly different from that proposed previously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac M Craig
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Kaidi Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | | | - Ziyan Zhu
- SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Takashi Taniguchi
- International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics, National Institute for Materials Science, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Kenji Watanabe
- Research for Functional Materials, National Institute for Materials Science, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Sinéad M Griffin
- Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - D Kwabena Bediako
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA.
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33
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DeRonja J, Nowell M, Wright S, Kacher J. Generational assessment of EBSD detectors for cross-correlation-based analysis: From scintillators to direct detection. Ultramicroscopy 2024; 257:113913. [PMID: 38141535 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2023.113913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
Introduced over ten years ago, cross-correlation-based electron backscatter diffraction has enabled high precision measurements of crystallographic rotations and elastic strain gradients at high spatial resolution. Since that time, there have been remarkable improvements in electron detector technology, including the advent of ultra-high speed detectors and the commercialization of direct detectors. In this study, we assess the efficacy of multiple generations of electron detectors for cross-correlation-based analysis using a single crystal Si sample as a reference. We show that, while improvements in precision are modest, there have been significant gains in the rate at which high-quality diffraction patterns can be collected. This has important implications in the size of datasets that can be collected and reduces the impact of drift and sample contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Josh Kacher
- Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, United States.
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34
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Nguyen KX, Jiang Y, Lee CH, Kharel P, Zhang Y, van der Zande AM, Huang PY. Achieving sub-0.5-angstrom-resolution ptychography in an uncorrected electron microscope. Science 2024; 383:865-870. [PMID: 38386746 DOI: 10.1126/science.adl2029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Subangstrom resolution has long been limited to aberration-corrected electron microscopy, where it is a powerful tool for understanding the atomic structure and properties of matter. Here, we demonstrate electron ptychography in an uncorrected scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) with deep subangstrom spatial resolution down to 0.44 angstroms, exceeding the conventional resolution of aberration-corrected tools and rivaling their highest ptychographic resolutions. Our approach, which we demonstrate on twisted two-dimensional materials in a widely available commercial microscope, far surpasses prior ptychographic resolutions (1 to 5 angstroms) of uncorrected STEMs. We further show how geometric aberrations can create optimized, structured beams for dose-efficient electron ptychography. Our results demonstrate that expensive aberration correctors are no longer required for deep subangstrom resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla X Nguyen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Yi Jiang
- Advanced Photon Source Facility, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL, USA
| | - Chia-Hao Lee
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Priti Kharel
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Yue Zhang
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Arend M van der Zande
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Pinshane Y Huang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
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35
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Ji P, Lei X, Su D. In Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy Methods for Lithium-Ion Batteries. SMALL METHODS 2024:e2301539. [PMID: 38385838 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202301539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
In situ Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) stands as an invaluable instrument for the real-time examination of the structural changes in materials. It features ultrahigh spatial resolution and powerful analytical capability, making it significantly versatile across diverse fields. Particularly in the realm of Lithium-Ion Batteries (LIBs), in situ TEM is extensively utilized for real-time analysis of phase transitions, degradation mechanisms, and the lithiation process during charging and discharging. This review aims to provide an overview of the latest advancements in in situ TEM applications for LIBs. Additionally, it compares the suitability and effectiveness of two techniques: the open cell technique and the liquid cell technique. The technical aspects of both the open cell and liquid cell techniques are introduced, followed by a comparison of their applications in cathodes, anodes, solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation, and lithium dendrite growth in LIBs. Lastly, the review concludes by stimulating discussions on possible future research trajectories that hold potential to expedite the progression of battery technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengxiang Ji
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Physical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xincheng Lei
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Physical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Dong Su
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Physical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
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36
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Zhu M, Lanier J, Flores J, da Cruz Pinha Barbosa V, Russell D, Haight B, Woodward PM, Yang F, Hwang J. Structural degeneracy and formation of crystallographic domains in epitaxial LaFeO 3 films revealed by machine-learning assisted 4D-STEM. Sci Rep 2024; 14:4198. [PMID: 38378717 PMCID: PMC10879141 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54661-1] [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: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Structural domains and domain walls, inherent in single crystalline perovskite oxides, can significantly influence the properties of the material and therefore must be considered as a vital part of the design of the epitaxial oxide thin films. We employ 4D-STEM combined with machine learning (ML) to comprehensively characterize domain structures at both high spatial resolution and over a significant spatial extent. Using orthorhombic LaFeO3 as a model system, we explore the application of unsupervised and supervised ML in domain mapping, which demonstrates robustness against experiment uncertainties. The results reveal the consequential formation of multiple domains due to the structural degeneracy when LaFeO3 film is grown on cubic SrTiO3. In situ annealing of the film shows the mechanism of domain coarsening that potentially links to phase transition of LaFeO3 at high temperatures. Moreover, synthesis of LaFeO3 on DyScO3 illustrates that a less symmetric orthorhombic substrate inhibits the formation of domain walls, thereby contributing to the mitigation of structural degeneracy. High fidelity of our approach also highlights the potential for the domain mapping of other complicated materials and thin films.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menglin Zhu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Joseph Lanier
- Department of Physics, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Jose Flores
- Department of Physics, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | | | - Daniel Russell
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Becky Haight
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Patrick M Woodward
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Fengyuan Yang
- Department of Physics, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Jinwoo Hwang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
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37
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Yang Y, Yin S, Yu Q, Zhu Y, Ding J, Zhang R, Ophus C, Asta M, Ritchie RO, Minor AM. Rejuvenation as the origin of planar defects in the CrCoNi medium entropy alloy. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1402. [PMID: 38365867 PMCID: PMC10873362 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45696-z] [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: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
High or medium- entropy alloys (HEAs/MEAs) are multi-principal element alloys with equal atomic elemental composition, some of which have shown record-breaking mechanical performance. However, the link between short-range order (SRO) and the exceptional mechanical properties of these alloys has remained elusive. The local destruction of SRO by dislocation glide has been predicted to lead to a rejuvenated state with increased entropy and free energy, creating softer zones within the matrix and planar fault boundaries that enhance the ductility, but this has not been verified. Here, we integrate in situ nanomechanical testing with energy-filtered four-dimensional scanning transmission electron microscopy (4D-STEM) and directly observe the rejuvenation during cyclic mechanical loading in single crystal CrCoNi at room temperature. Surprisingly, stacking faults (SFs) and twin boundaries (TBs) are reversible in initial cycles but become irreversible after a thousand cycles, indicating SF energy reduction and rejuvenation. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation further reveals that the local breakdown of SRO in the MEA triggers these SF reversibility changes. As a result, the deformation features in HEAs/MEAs remain planar and highly localized to the rejuvenated planes, leading to the superior damage tolerance characteristic in this class of alloys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yang
- National Center for Electron Microscopy, Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics and Materials Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
| | - Sheng Yin
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Qin Yu
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Yingxin Zhu
- Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics and Materials Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Jun Ding
- Center for Alloy Innovation and Design (CAID), State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Ruopeng Zhang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Colin Ophus
- National Center for Electron Microscopy, Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Mark Asta
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Robert O Ritchie
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Andrew M Minor
- National Center for Electron Microscopy, Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
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38
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Niermann T, Niermann L, Lehmann M. Three dimensional classification of dislocations from single projections. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1356. [PMID: 38355701 PMCID: PMC10866901 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45642-z] [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: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Many material properties are governed by dislocations and their interactions. The reconstruction of the three-dimensional structure of a dislocation network so far is mainly achieved by tomographic tilt series with high angular ranges, which is experimentally challenging and additionally puts constraints on possible specimen geometries. Here, we show a way to reveal the three dimensional location of dislocations and simultaneously classify their type from single 4D scanning transmission electron microscopy measurements. The dislocation's strain field causes inter-band scattering between the electron's Bloch waves within the crystal. This scattering in turn results in characteristic interference patterns with sufficient information to identify the dislocations type and depth in beam direction by comparison with multi-beam calculations. We expect the presented measurement principle will lead to fully automated methods for reconstruction of the three dimensional strain fields from such measurements with a wide range of applications in material and physical sciences and engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tore Niermann
- Technische Universität Berlin, Institut für Optik und Atomare Physik, Straße des 17. Juni 135, 10623, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Laura Niermann
- Technische Universität Berlin, Institut für Optik und Atomare Physik, Straße des 17. Juni 135, 10623, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Lehmann
- Technische Universität Berlin, Institut für Optik und Atomare Physik, Straße des 17. Juni 135, 10623, Berlin, Germany
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39
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Kimoto K, Kikkawa J, Harano K, Cretu O, Shibazaki Y, Uesugi F. Unsupervised machine learning combined with 4D scanning transmission electron microscopy for bimodal nanostructural analysis. Sci Rep 2024; 14:2901. [PMID: 38316959 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53289-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Unsupervised machine learning techniques have been combined with scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) to enable comprehensive crystal structure analysis with nanometer spatial resolution. In this study, we investigated large-scale data obtained by four-dimensional (4D) STEM using dimensionality reduction techniques such as non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) and hierarchical clustering with various optimization methods. We developed software scripts incorporating knowledge of electron diffraction and STEM imaging for data preprocessing, NMF, and hierarchical clustering. Hierarchical clustering was performed using cross-correlation instead of conventional Euclidean distances, resulting in rotation-corrected diffractions and shift-corrected maps of major components. An experimental analysis was conducted on a high-pressure-annealed metallic glass, Zr-Cu-Al, revealing an amorphous matrix and crystalline precipitates with an average diameter of approximately 7 nm, which were challenging to detect using conventional STEM techniques. Combining 4D-STEM and optimized unsupervised machine learning enables comprehensive bimodal (i.e., spatial and reciprocal) analyses of material nanostructures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koji Kimoto
- Center for Basic Research On Materials, National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), 1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0044, Japan.
| | - Jun Kikkawa
- Center for Basic Research On Materials, National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), 1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0044, Japan
| | - Koji Harano
- Center for Basic Research On Materials, National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), 1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0044, Japan
| | - Ovidiu Cretu
- Center for Basic Research On Materials, National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), 1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0044, Japan
| | - Yuki Shibazaki
- Institute of Materials Structure Science, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Fumihiko Uesugi
- Research Network and Facility Service Division, National Institute for Materials Science, Tsukuba, Japan
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40
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Egerton RF. Voxel dose-limited resolution for thick beam-sensitive specimens imaged in a TEM or STEM. Micron 2024; 177:103576. [PMID: 38113715 DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2023.103576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
The resolution limit imposed by radiation damage is quantified in terms of a voxel dose-limited resolution (DLR), applicable to small features within a thick specimen. An analytical formula for this DLR is derived and applied to bright-field mass-thickness contrast from organic (polymer or biological) specimens of thickness between 400 nm and 20 µm. For a permissible dose of 330 MGy (typical of frozen-hydrated tissue), the TEM or STEM image resolution is determined by radiation damage rather than by lens aberrations or beam-broadening effects, which can be restricted by use of a small angle-limiting aperture. DLR is improved by a up to factor of 2 by increasing the primary-electron energy from 300 keV to 3 MeV, or by up to a factor of 3 by heavy-metal staining. For stained samples, a higher electron fluence allows better resolution but the improvement is modest because the voxel DLR is proportional to the 1/4 power of electron dose. The relevance of voxel and columnar DLR is discussed, for both thick and thin samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- R F Egerton
- Physics Department, University of Alberta, Edmonton T6G 2E1, Canada
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41
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Lin A, Sheng P, Ning S, Zhang F. Rotational position error correction in ptychography. APPLIED OPTICS 2024; 63:804-809. [PMID: 38294394 DOI: 10.1364/ao.510143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Accurate determination of scan positions is essential for achieving high-quality reconstructions in ptychographic imaging. This study presents and demonstrates a method for determining the rotation angle of the scan pattern relative to the detector pixel array using diffraction data. The method is based on the Fourier-Mellin transform and cross-correlation calculation. It can correct rotation errors up to 60 deg. High-quality reconstructions were obtained for visible light and electron microscopy datasets, and intricate structures of samples can be revealed. We believe that this refinement method for rotary position errors can be valuable for improving the performance of ptychographic four-dimensional scanning transmission electron microscopy.
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42
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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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43
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Bijelić L, Ruiz-Zepeda F, Hodnik N. The role of high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and aberration corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy in unraveling the structure-property relationships of Pt-based fuel cells electrocatalysts. Inorg Chem Front 2024; 11:323-341. [PMID: 38235274 PMCID: PMC10790562 DOI: 10.1039/d3qi01998e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Platinum-based fuel cell electrocatalysts are structured on a nano level in order to extend their active surface area and maximize the utilization of precious and scarce platinum. Their performance is dictated by the atomic arrangement of their surface layers atoms via structure-property relationships. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) are the preferred methods for characterizing these catalysts, due to their capacity to achieve local atomic-level resolutions. Size, morphology, strain and local composition are just some of the properties of Pt-based nanostructures that can be obtained by (S)TEM. Furthermore, advanced methods of (S)TEM are able to provide insights into the quasi-in situ, in situ or even operando stability of these nanostructures. In this review, we present state-of-the-art applications of (S)TEM in the investigation and interpretation of structure-activity and structure-stability relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lazar Bijelić
- Laboratory for Electrocatalysis, Department of Materials Chemistry, National Insititute of Chemistry Hajdrihova 19 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia
- University of Nova Gorica Vipavska 13 Nova Gorica SI-5000 Slovenia
| | - Francisco Ruiz-Zepeda
- Laboratory for Electrocatalysis, Department of Materials Chemistry, National Insititute of Chemistry Hajdrihova 19 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia
- Department of Physics and Chemistry of Materials, Institute for Metals and Technology IMT Lepi pot 11 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - Nejc Hodnik
- Laboratory for Electrocatalysis, Department of Materials Chemistry, National Insititute of Chemistry Hajdrihova 19 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia
- University of Nova Gorica Vipavska 13 Nova Gorica SI-5000 Slovenia
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44
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Cui Y, Wang J, Li Y, Wu Y, Been E, Zhang Z, Zhou J, Zhang W, Hwang HY, Sinclair R, Cui Y. Twisted epitaxy of gold nanodisks grown between twisted substrate layers of molybdenum disulfide. Science 2024; 383:212-219. [PMID: 38207038 DOI: 10.1126/science.adk5947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
We expand the concept of epitaxy to a regime of "twisted epitaxy" with the epilayer crystal orientation between two substrates influenced by their relative orientation. We annealed nanometer-thick gold (Au) nanoparticles between two substrates of exfoliated hexagonal molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) with varying orientation of their basal planes with a mutual twist angle ranging from 0° to 60°. Transmission electron microscopy studies show that Au aligns midway between the top and bottom MoS2 when the twist angle of the bilayer is small (<~7°). For larger twist angles, Au has only a small misorientation with the bottom MoS2 that varies approximately sinusoidally with twist angle of the bilayer MoS2. Four-dimensional scanning transmission electron microscopy analysis further reveals a periodic strain variation (<|±0.5%|) in the Au nanodisks associated with the twisted epitaxy, consistent with the Moiré registry of the two MoS2 twisted layers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Cui
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Jingyang Wang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94305, USA
| | - Yanbin Li
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Yecun Wu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Emily Been
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Zewen Zhang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Jiawei Zhou
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Wenbo Zhang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Harold Y Hwang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Applied Physics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Robert Sinclair
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Yi Cui
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Stanford Institute for Materials and Energy Sciences, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
- Department of Energy Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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45
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Kang S, Wang D, Kübel C, Mu X. Importance of TEM sample thickness for measuring strain fields. Ultramicroscopy 2024; 255:113844. [PMID: 37708815 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2023.113844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has emerged as a valuable tool for assessing and mapping strain fields within materials. By directly analyzing local atomic spacing variations, TEM enables the precise measurement of local strain with high spatial resolution. However, it is standard practice to use thin specimens in TEM analysis to ensure electron transparency and minimize issues such as projection artifacts and contributions from multiple scattering. This raises an important question regarding the extent of structural modification, such as strain relaxation, induced in thin samples due to the increased surface-to-volume ratio and the thinning process. In this study, we conducted a systematic investigation to quantify the influence of TEM sample thickness on the residual strain field using deformed Fe-based and Zr-based metallic glasses as model systems. The samples were gradually thinned from 300 nm to 70 nm, and the same area was examined using 4D-STEM with identical imaging settings. Our results demonstrate that thinning the sample affects the atomic configuration at both the short-range (SR) and medium-range (MR) scales. Consequently, when the sample is thinned too much, it no longer preserves the native deformation structure. These findings highlight the critical importance of maintaining sufficient TEM sample thickness for obtaining meaningful and accurate strain measurements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangjun Kang
- Institute of Nanotechnology (INT), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen 76344, Germany; Joint Research Laboratory Nanomaterials, Technical University of Darmstadt (TUDa), Darmstadt 64287, Germany.
| | - Di Wang
- Institute of Nanotechnology (INT), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen 76344, Germany; Karlsruhe Nano Micro Facility (KNMFi), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen 76344, Germany
| | - Christian Kübel
- Institute of Nanotechnology (INT), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen 76344, Germany; Joint Research Laboratory Nanomaterials, Technical University of Darmstadt (TUDa), Darmstadt 64287, Germany; Karlsruhe Nano Micro Facility (KNMFi), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen 76344, Germany.
| | - Xiaoke Mu
- Institute of Nanotechnology (INT), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen 76344, Germany.
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46
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Pofelski A, Zhu Y, Botton GA. Relation between sampling, sensitivity and precision in strain mapping using the Geometric Phase Analysis method in Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy. Ultramicroscopy 2024; 255:113842. [PMID: 37690294 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2023.113842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
The sensitivity and the precision of the Geometric Phase Analysis (GPA) method for strain characterization is a topic widely discussed in the literature and is usually difficult to quantify. Indeed, the GPA precision is intricately linked to the resolution of the strain maps defined when masking the periodic reflections in Fourier space. In this study an additional parameter, sampling, is proposed to be analyzed regarding the precision of GPA by developing the concept of a phase noise in the GPA equations. Both experimentally and theoretically, the following article demonstrates how the precision, and the sensitivity of the GPA method is improved when using a larger pixel spacing to record an electron micrograph in Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM). The counterintuitive concept of increasing the field of view to improve the GPA precision results is an extension of the application of strain characterization methods in STEM towards low deformation levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Pofelski
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L7, Canada; Condensed Matter Physics and Materials Science Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973, USA.
| | - Y Zhu
- Condensed Matter Physics and Materials Science Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973, USA
| | - G A Botton
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L7, Canada; Canadian Light Source, 44 Innovation Boulevard, Saskatoon, SK S7N 2V3 Canada
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47
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Hogan-Lamarre P, Luo Y, Bücker R, Miller RJD, Zou X. STEM SerialED: achieving high-resolution data for ab initio structure determination of beam-sensitive nanocrystalline materials. IUCRJ 2024; 11:62-72. [PMID: 38038991 PMCID: PMC10833385 DOI: 10.1107/s2052252523009661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Serial electron diffraction (SerialED), which applies a snapshot data acquisition strategy for each crystal, was introduced to tackle the problem of radiation damage in the structure determination of beam-sensitive materials by three-dimensional electron diffraction (3DED). The snapshot data acquisition in SerialED can be realized using both transmission and scanning transmission electron microscopes (TEM/STEM). However, the current SerialED workflow based on STEM setups requires special external devices and software, which limits broader adoption. Here, we present a simplified experimental implementation of STEM-based SerialED on Thermo Fisher Scientific STEMs using common proprietary software interfaced through Python scripts to automate data collection. Specifically, we utilize TEM Imaging and Analysis (TIA) scripting and TEM scripting to access the STEM functionalities of the microscope, and DigitalMicrograph scripting to control the camera for snapshot data acquisition. Data analysis adapts the existing workflow using the software CrystFEL, which was developed for serial X-ray crystallography. Our workflow for STEM SerialED can be used on any Gatan or Thermo Fisher Scientific camera. We apply this workflow to collect high-resolution STEM SerialED data from two aluminosilicate zeolites, zeolite Y and ZSM-25. We demonstrate, for the first time, ab initio structure determination through direct methods using STEM SerialED data. Zeolite Y is relatively stable under the electron beam, and STEM SerialED data extend to 0.60 Å. We show that the structural model obtained using STEM SerialED data merged from 358 crystals is nearly identical to that using continuous rotation electron diffraction data from one crystal. This demonstrates that accurate structures can be obtained from STEM SerialED. Zeolite ZSM-25 is very beam-sensitive and has a complex structure. We show that STEM SerialED greatly improves the data resolution of ZSM-25, compared with serial rotation electron diffraction (SerialRED), from 1.50 to 0.90 Å. This allows, for the first time, the use of standard phasing methods, such as direct methods, for the ab initio structure determination of ZSM-25.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Hogan-Lamarre
- Department of Physics, University of Toronto, 80 George Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
- Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Yi Luo
- Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Stockholm University, Stockholm SE-106, Sweden
| | - Robert Bücker
- Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Hamburg, Germany
| | - R. J. Dwayne Miller
- Department of Physics, University of Toronto, 80 George Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 George Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Xiaodong Zou
- Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Stockholm University, Stockholm SE-106, Sweden
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48
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Şentürk DG, Yu CP, De Backer A, Van Aert S. Atom counting from a combination of two ADF STEM images. Ultramicroscopy 2024; 255:113859. [PMID: 37778104 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2023.113859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
To understand the structure-property relationship of nanostructures, reliably quantifying parameters, such as the number of atoms along the projection direction, is important. Advanced statistical methodologies have made it possible to count the number of atoms for monotype crystalline nanoparticles from a single ADF STEM image. Recent developments enable one to simultaneously acquire multiple ADF STEM images. Here, we present an extended statistics-based method for atom counting from a combination of multiple statistically independent ADF STEM images reconstructed from non-overlapping annular detector collection regions which improves the accuracy and allows one to retrieve precise atom-counts, especially for images acquired with low electron doses and multiple element structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- D G Şentürk
- Electron Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT), University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium; NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - C P Yu
- Electron Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT), University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium; NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - A De Backer
- Electron Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT), University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium; NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - S Van Aert
- Electron Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT), University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium; NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium.
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49
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Kumar P, Chen J, Meng AC, Yang WCD, Anantharaman SB, Horwath JP, Idrobo JC, Mishra H, Liu Y, Davydov AV, Stach EA, Jariwala D. Observation of Sub-10 nm Transition Metal Dichalcogenide Nanocrystals in Rapidly Heated van der Waals Heterostructures. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:59693-59703. [PMID: 38090759 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c13471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Two-dimensional materials, such as transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), have the potential to revolutionize the field of electronics and photonics due to their unique physical and structural properties. This research presents a novel method for synthesizing crystalline TMDCs crystals with <10 nm size using ultrafast migration of vacancies at elevated temperatures. Through in situ and ex situ processing and using atomic-level characterization techniques, we analyzed the shape, size, crystallinity, composition, and strain distribution of these nanocrystals. These nanocrystals exhibit electronic structure signatures that differ from the 2D bulk: i.e., uniform mono- and multilayers. Further, our in situ, vacuum-based synthesis technique allows observation and comparison of defect and phase evolution in these crystals formed under van der Waals heterostructure confinement versus unconfined conditions. Overall, this research demonstrates a solid-state route to synthesizing uniform nanocrystals of TMDCs and lays the foundation for materials science in confined 2D spaces under extreme conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pawan Kumar
- Electrical and Systems Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
- Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
- Inter-university Microelectronics Center (IMEC), Leuven 3001, Belgium
| | - Jiazheng Chen
- Electrical and Systems Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Andrew C Meng
- Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
| | - Wei-Chang D Yang
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States
| | - Surendra B Anantharaman
- Electrical and Systems Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
- Low-dimensional Semiconductors Lab, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology-Madras, Chennai, Tamilnadu 600036, India
| | - James P Horwath
- Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
- Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois 60439, United States
| | - Juan C Idrobo
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830, United States
- Materials Science & Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Himani Mishra
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Texas Materials Institute, University of Texas, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Yuanyue Liu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Texas Materials Institute, University of Texas, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Albert V Davydov
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States
| | - Eric A Stach
- Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Deep Jariwala
- Electrical and Systems Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
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50
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Chee SW, Lunkenbein T, Schlögl R, Roldán Cuenya B. Operando Electron Microscopy of Catalysts: The Missing Cornerstone in Heterogeneous Catalysis Research? Chem Rev 2023; 123:13374-13418. [PMID: 37967448 PMCID: PMC10722467 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
Heterogeneous catalysis in thermal gas-phase and electrochemical liquid-phase chemical conversion plays an important role in our modern energy landscape. However, many of the structural features that drive efficient chemical energy conversion are still unknown. These features are, in general, highly distinct on the local scale and lack translational symmetry, and thus, they are difficult to capture without the required spatial and temporal resolution. Correlating these structures to their function will, conversely, allow us to disentangle irrelevant and relevant features, explore the entanglement of different local structures, and provide us with the necessary understanding to tailor novel catalyst systems with improved productivity. This critical review provides a summary of the still immature field of operando electron microscopy for thermal gas-phase and electrochemical liquid-phase reactions. It focuses on the complexity of investigating catalytic reactions and catalysts, progress in the field, and analysis. The forthcoming advances are discussed in view of correlative techniques, artificial intelligence in analysis, and novel reactor designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- See Wee Chee
- Department
of Interface Science, Fritz-Haber Institute
of the Max-Planck Society, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Lunkenbein
- Department
of Inorganic Chemistry, Fritz-Haber Institute
of the Max-Planck Society, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Robert Schlögl
- Department
of Interface Science, Fritz-Haber Institute
of the Max-Planck Society, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Beatriz Roldán Cuenya
- Department
of Interface Science, Fritz-Haber Institute
of the Max-Planck Society, 14195 Berlin, Germany
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